Calls Loom Large as Baycats Lose Game One

Welland, ON – Game One of the IBL Finals delivered everything you’d expect from two of the league’s top clubs — power hitting, late drama, and a walk-off finish. In the end, the Welland Jackfish edged the Barrie Baycats 6-5 on Sunday afternoon at Welland Stadium.

The Baycats struck early as Adam Odd launched the first of his two home runs in the second. Odd finished with three hits and three RBI, giving Barrie a spark in the middle of the lineup. Noel McGarry Doyle also showed his power, crushing a solo shot in the third while adding a double, two runs scored, and two RBI overall. Francisco Hernandez was a steady force at the plate as well, collecting three hits, including a double, and driving in a run.

On the mound, Frank Garcés turned in a gutsy performance. The Baycats ace tossed eight innings, allowing five runs on ten hits while striking out six. He kept Barrie close despite Welland’s early surge, but handed the ball over with the score tied in the ninth.

Welland’s bats came alive in the second and third innings. Jonah Weisner doubled home a run as part of a three-hit night, while Jake Sanford belted a two-run homer to extend the Jackfish lead. Robert Mullen delivered in the biggest moment, lining a walk-off hit in the ninth to plate the winning run.

The Jackfish bullpen proved to be the difference. After Barrie tagged starter Ben Abram for 10 hits and four runs in four innings, relievers clamped down. Pedro De Los Santos was especially sharp, striking out four over three scoreless innings to earn the win.

The Baycats collected 13 hits compared to Welland’s 11, but left six runners on base and couldn’t crack the Jackfish late. Two – some would argue more – controversial calls went against Barrie, one in the ninth as Weisner was called safe at third as the winning run. Video showed he may have not beaten the tag from Odd at third base. Tristan Clarke was also called out at the plate in the fourth after it looked like he had beaten the tag from Mullen. 

With the loss, Barrie trails the best-of-seven series 1-0. The Finals now shift to Athletic Kulture Stadium in Midhurst for Game Two on Tuesday, September 9th at 7:35 p.m., where the Baycats will look to even the series in front of their home fans.