Machibroda’s Blast Lifts Baycats to Fifth Consecutive Victory

Chatham-Kent, ON – Five consecutive wins for the Barrie Baycats, who are over .500 (7–6) for the first time in 2025 after a 5–2 victory over the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers Saturday night. Two home runs from the visitors backed a strong outing from Frank Garcés.

After a scoreless first, Baycats centrefielder Tristan Clarke launched one out to right-centre, breaking the tie with his third home run of the season off Chatham-Kent starter Mizuki Akatsuka. That shot from Clarke was the only mistake Akatsuka made in a six-inning, six-strikeout outing. The rare switch pitcher – who can throw with both arms, depending on the batter – finished with a no decision.

Chatham started the bottom of the fourth with a bunt hit from Evan Morrison, followed by a single from Spencer Marcus. Catcher Mitsuki Fukuda’s sacrifice fly tied the game as Morrison scored. The game remained knotted at one through the middle innings.

Frank Garcés picked up his first win of the season, with one of his two runs allowed being unearned. He pitched eight innings, throwing exactly 100 pitches. The lefty – not Lefty the Barnstormers mascot – struck out six, walked just one, and gave up six hits. Sadler Goodwin’s two-out double in the seventh, scoring Robert Mackie, gave the home side a brief lead.

That lead lasted only as long as the baseball, crushed off the bat of Nolan Machibroda, took to land – which may have taken more than a few seconds. Barrie’s designated hitter admired his two-run homer that gave his team a 3-2 lead, with Asafa Jones scoring in front of him. Francisco Hernandez (scoring on an error by third baseman Mackie) and Brandon Hernandez (scoring on a balk by closer Garret Day) tacked on two big insurance runs for the Baycats.

Machibroda’s mammoth home run came off reliever Eric Pettipiece, who took the loss – his first of the season. Carlos Sano notched his second save with a scoreless ninth. Malik Williams (during his first-inning at-bat) and Francisco Hernandez (while rounding home to score in the ninth) both had to leave Saturday’s game due to undisclosed injuries.

Final Score: Baycats 5, Barnstormers 2

NEXT UP: A doubleheader tomorrow as these two teams play twice starting at 11 a.m., before the Baycats head back to Barrie.