Baycats Walk Off Royals in Thrilling 6-5 Victory

Barrie, ON – The Barrie Baycats got back into the win column Thursday night, holding off multiple comeback attempts from the Guelph Royals before walking it off in the bottom of the ninth for a 6-5 victory at Athletic Kulture Stadium.

Barrie built an early three-run lead behind timely hitting in the second and third innings. Clayton Keyes opened the scoring when he crossed the plate on Noah Hull's sacrifice fly before Brandon Hernandez followed with an RBI single to center, doubling the Baycats' advantage to 2-0.

An inning later, Ryan Rijo added to the lead by driving a solo home run over the right-field wall, giving Barrie a 3-0 cushion.

Guelph finally broke through in the sixth. Andy Leader put the Royals on the board with an RBI double before Matthew Ward lined a two-run single to center, tying the game at three.

The Baycats wasted little time reclaiming the lead. In the bottom of the seventh, Francisco Hernandez came around to score when Noel McGarry Doyle ripped an RBI double to left, putting Barrie back in front 4-3. They added another in the inning to make it 5-3

The Royals answered once again in the eighth. After Victor Mascai reached base, Ward delivered his biggest swing of the night, blasting a two-run home run to left field to tie the game at five.

Barrie responded to even the score in the bottom half, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

In the ninth, Francisco Hernandez moved into scoring position before McGarry Doyle put the ball in play. Hernandez raced home with the winning run on a fielder's choice, sealing the Baycats' 6-5 walk-off victory.

Carlos Sano earned his sixth win in relief, while Kevin Escorcia was tagged with the loss.

McGarry Doyle finished 2-for-2 with a double, two RBIs and the walk-off winner to lead the Baycats offensively. Brandon Hernandez collected two hits and an RBI, while Ryan Rijo homered as part of a two-hit night. Ward led Guelph's offense, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs, including the game-tying home run in the eighth.

The Baycats are back in action Friday night in Toronto at 7:30.