Baycats Stun Maple Leafs in Game one Walkoff Win

Barrie, ON — The Barrie Baycats gave their fans a night to remember, storming back late to edge the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in Game 1 of their opening-round playoff series Thursday at Athletic Kulture Stadium.

Toronto got on the board in the third inning when Jhon Javier delivered a clutch two-out, two-run double to right-centre. That would be all the offence the Leafs managed, as Barrie starter Frank Garcés turned in a masterclass on the mound.

Garcés struck out 15 batters over eight innings, scattering just three hits and allowing one earned run. He kept the Baycats within striking distance, silencing Toronto’s lineup after the early blow. His 15 strikeouts matched a career high.

Barrie scratched out their first run in the sixth inning when Francisco Hernandez doubled down the left-field line, bringing in Noel McGarry Doyle to make it 2-1.

The score held until the bottom of the ninth, when the Baycats mounted their decisive rally. Tristan Clarke led off with a single, and Noah Hull followed with another. With one out and the bases loaded, Tyler Plumpton hit a sacrifice fly to centre, scoring Clarke to tie the game. Two batters later, Hull stood on third with Adam Odd at the plate.

Initially, Maple Leafs reliever Luis Florentino threw a wild pitch, but Hull stayed put at third base. However, catcher Justin Marra overthrew Florentino in his throw back, triggering Hull’s mad dash to the plate with the winning run. It was a wild play to cap off a great game.

Toronto’s Wilgenis Alvarado was excellent in his start, striking out seven and allowing just one run over six innings. Florentino was tagged with the loss after surrendering the ninth-inning runs. Braedan Pakkala earned the win in relief for Barrie, working a scoreless top of the ninth with one strikeout.

With the victory, Barrie takes a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. The teams are back in action Friday night in Toronto for Game 2, before the series shifts back to Barrie on Sunday afternoon at 4:05 p.m.