BAYCATS WIN WILDCARD SHOWDOWN, ADVANCE TO CBL SEMIFINALS

Guelph, ON - The Barrie Baycats are moving on.

Barrie defeated the Guelph Royals 4-2 in the CBL Wildcard Game, punching its ticket to the semifinals and keeping its 2026 postseason run alive.

The Baycats wasted no time getting on the board. Noel McGarry Doyle reached base in the top of the first before Francisco Hernandez launched a two-run home run to centre field, giving Barrie an early 2-0 advantage.

Guelph responded immediately in the bottom half. Garrett Takamatsu hit a solo home run to centre field, cutting the Baycats' lead to 2-1 after the opening inning.

The Royals eventually pulled even in the fourth. Victor Mascai scored from second on an RBI single from Nathaniel Ochoa, tying the Wildcard matchup at 2-2.

Barrie regained the lead and carried a 3-2 advantage into the eighth inning before adding an important insurance run. Hernandez reached base and advanced to second before Ryan Rijo singled into left field, bringing Hernandez home and extending the Baycats' lead to 4-2.

Frank Garcés earned the win after working five innings for Barrie. The left-hander allowed two runs on eight hits while striking out seven and issuing just one walk.

From there, the Baycats bullpen shut down the Royals. Saul Vasquez tossed 2.2 scoreless innings, surrendering only one hit while striking out two to earn the hold. Carlos Sano was called upon for the final four outs and allowed one hit while striking out two, recording the save and securing Barrie's place in the semifinals.

Barrie's pitching staff combined for 11 strikeouts and just two walks while keeping Guelph off the scoreboard over the final five innings.

The Baycats finished with 12 hits offensively, led by Hernandez's 2-for-4 performance with a home run and two RBIs. His two-run shot opened the scoring before he later crossed the plate with Barrie's final run of the night.

Guelph collected 10 hits, with Liam Wilson going 3-for-4 and Takamatsu finishing 2-for-5 with a solo home run. Edgar Garcia took the loss for the Royals after allowing three runs, two earned, on seven hits over 2.2 innings.

With the 4-2 victory, the Baycats officially advance to the CBL semifinals, where they will face the Hamilton Cardinals in a best-of-seven series.

Barrie's postseason continues with a spot in the CBL Championship Series now on the line.