Baycats Win Home Opener on a Dark Day in City History

MIDHURST - Bigger than baseball.

The Barrie Baycats defeated the Hamilton Cardinals 8-3 on Thursday evening to improve to 1-1 on the season.

With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 1-2 on the season.

Barrie ace Juan Benitez recorded the win, tossing five and two-thirds innings while allowing three earned runs on seven hits and three bases on balls while striking out six Hamilton batters.

Baycats centre fielder and Barrie area native Jake Wilson led the way at the plate, going three-for-five with an inside-the-park home run in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Hamilton starter Ben Bruan took the loss, tossing four innings while allowing two earned runs on nine hits and one base on balls.

The Ontario Blue Jays alum struck out four in his four innings of work.

HAMILTON - 3-8-3

BARRIE - 8-10-1

BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME...

Up 4-1 in the bottom of the third inning with two out, catcher Tyler Plumpton hit a two-run single to centre field to make it 6-1 Baycats, which was more than enough for the Baycats' pitching staff on this night.

BY THE NUMBERS...

3. Three Baycats relievers shut down the Cardinals offence tonight, with southpaw Aidan Rossel throwing 1.1 scoreless innings in relief for Benitez, followed by Max Lojko and closer Brandon Hillier finishing the job from there

8. Outside of first basemen Ryan Rijo, every hitter in the Baycats lineup tonight got on base via a hit or walk.

THOUGHTS FROM THE GAME...

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by today's tornado in the Southend of our great city, and we offer our deepest gratitude towards our first responders. 

Please note that the Barrie Police has set up a central phone line for anyone who needs assistance related to the tornado. Please call 705-728-8442. Call takers will take callers’ information to ensure a follow-up from the proper organization.

People can also donate to the Red Cross by phone at 1-800-418-1111.

The Baycats organization will do what we can in order to be a part of the emotional recovery that victims of today's events will need.

NEXT UP...

On the heels of an emotional day in the city, the Baycats travel to Brantford tomorrow night to do battle with the Brantford Red Sox.

You can listen to the game live by clicking here.

For more information, follow the Baycats on Facebook and Twitter at @iblbaycats, on Instagram at @barriebaycats, and on Youtube at Barrie Baycats TV.

And remember to shop at our online shop by clicking here.

Lastly, remember that you can buy tickets to all of our home games here.

Photo: Bob Hurley/Bob Hurley Photography