BAYCATS HIT THREE HOME RUNS IN 9-3 VICTORY

BARRIE — Heading back home was exactly what the Baycats needed as they got back in the win column with a 9-3 victory over the Hamilton Cardinals. With all of the scoring ending in the fourth inning, it seemed like this game was split into two with how different the first half and second half played out.

Hamilton scored all three of their runs in the first inning thanks to a Luis Bernardo two-run double and a Dennis Dei Baning RBI single. Other than that, starter Brad Grieveson was great, giving up no more runs through the next four innings. Brad picked up the win, meaning he now has the fifth-most wins as a Baycats pitcher all-time with 21. 

"It’s nice — I’m just glad that I was able to go out there and give us a chance to get a W (win)," said Grieveson. "If I can keep guys off balance, keep filling up the zone, and give us a chance, that’s what I’m going to do."

The Cardinal lead was cut to one in the bottom half of the first on a long home run from right-fielder Starlin Rodriguez, scoring Kyle Maves in front of him. Then, in the third inning, Hayden Jaco left the yard on a two-run shot, giving Barrie a 4-3 lead.

From that point on, it was all Baycats. They would go on to score five runs in the fourth inning. It was Maves and Rodriguez again with Kyle roping a two-RBI double that was followed by a Starlin run-scoring single. After that, Ryan Rijo got in on the home run parade, hitting the third two-run home run of the game and giving his team a 9-3 lead.

"I was just trying to jump [on] a fastball," Rijo said, talking about his game plan. "We’re just getting started." In the words of Ryan, this team is just getting started, and that is a good mindset to have heading into the most important time of the season.

The Baycats would hold on to that lead as Christian Mullen and Max Lojko shut things down. With the win, Barrie is now 24-13 on the season, sitting three and a half games back of first place.

NEXT UP: The Barrie Baycats are back in action tomorrow for yet another big game against the Welland Jackfish. You don’t want to miss this awesome matchup once again, and you can get your tickets here.

CHECK OUT THE FULL BROADCAST OF TODAY'S GAME ON BAYCATS TV FEATURING JULIUS HERN, DYLAN QUINN, AND SAM AUCOIN. THE BROADCAST WAS PRODUCED BY BRIAN BACKLAND.