Baycats Ride Five-Run Sixth to Victory Over Majors

Barrie, ON — The Barrie Baycats put together a complete effort Sunday afternoon, using timely hitting and strong pitching to defeat the London Majors 8-4, securing the number two seed in the Intercounty Baseball League postseason.

Barrie struck first when Noel McGarry Doyle singled home a run in the opening frame. London responded in the third as Byron Reichstein launched a two-run homer, giving the Majors an early lead.

The Baycats chipped away with a run in the fourth before the turning point came in the sixth. Down by a run, Barrie’s bats came alive. Hayden Jaco and Noah Hull sparked the rally with back-to-back doubles. After a run-scoring single from Tyler Plumpton tied the game, Nolan Machibroda delivered the dagger — a towering three-run homer to put Barrie ahead 8-4.

That was more than enough support for starter Juan Benitez (6-2), who worked seven innings, scattering six hits and striking out six. Veteran left-hander Frank Garcés was sharp in relief, retiring six of the seven batters he faced to nail down the win. Garcés also passed London starter Victor Payano — who took the loss Sunday — for the league lead in strikeouts this season.

Offensively, Barrie’s balanced attack produced 10 hits from seven different players. Machibroda drove in four runs, McGarry Doyle added two hits and a stolen base, while Hull and Jaco each doubled and scored twice.

Despite the loss, London had some bright spots: Reichstein’s homer was his fourth of the season, while Byron Verhoeven and Katsuya Sugi chipped in RBI. Payano (6-4) struck out eight in six innings, but three Majors errors proved costly in the middle frames.

FINAL SCORE: Baycats 8, Majors 4.

NEXT UP: Game One of the first round is Thursday in Barrie at 7:35 p.m., as the Baycats face the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round for the second straight season.