Baycats Open Pre-Season with 6–1 Win Over Cardinals

Barrie, ON - The Baycats opened their pre-season with a convincing 6-1 win, defeating the Hamilton Cardinals in a school-day exhibition game.

With more than 1500 students and staff in attendance, Barrie delivered a strong all-around performance fueled by early offence and sharp pitching.

Barrie sent starting pitcher Juan Benitez to the bump after posting a combined 3.63 ERA across 16 starts over both the regular season and playoffs last season. After Benitez pitched a clean top of the first, the Baycats' offence was quick to get going at the plate in their first at-bats of the pre-season. 

In his first at-bat of the spring, Francisco Hernandez launched one over the left field fence for the Baycats' first home run of the spring, giving the Baycats an early 1-0 lead.

The top of the second proved to be an early pre-season test for Benitez, after getting in a jam and loading the bases, Benitez was able to pitch out of trouble to hold Hamilton off the scoreboard after two innings. 

The next pitcher into the game for the Baycats was their ace of the staff, left-hander number 97 Frank Garcés. After a sparkling 2025 season for Barrie, Garcés picked up right where he left off, pitching two scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts in a strong first outing.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Baycats broke the game open, with a four-run frame, highlighted by Ryan Rijo putting a ball in play down the first base line that took a tricky hop, driving in three for Barrie. Later in the inning, Nolan Machibroda ripped an RBI single into center, bringing Rijo home to make it 5-0 Baycats.

After Hamilton got on the board in the top of the fifth inning, the Baycats responded immediately with a run of their own, courtesy of a Carson Barker RBI double to restore Barrie’s five-run lead. 

The 6-1 score would hold serve going into the top of the 7th inning, the final inning of this exhibition contest.

Dominant Baycats closer Carlos Sano took over from there. After posting eight saves and a 1.06 ERA last season, he already looked in midseason form.

Although it wasn’t a save opportunity, it made no difference to Sano, as he punched out a batter as part of a shutout inning of work, securing the win for the Baycats.

Barrie held Hamilton to just a single run on five hits, while the Barrie bats were able to string together six runs on seven total hits.

Overall, it was a strong performance that the Baycats will look to build on heading into their next two exhibition games.

Barrie’s next pre-season contest is another school day game taking place on Thursday, May 7th, with first pitch set for 11:00 A.M. at Athletic Kulture Stadium.

The Baycats begin their regular season slate at home next Thursday, May 14th, when they welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs into town.