THE JACKFISH WIN THE IBL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A GAME SIX VICTORY

BARRIE — For the first time in their franchise’s history, the Welland Jackfish have won the Jack and Lynne Dominico Cup. Winning the series four games to two, Welland closed it out in Barrie with a 17-1 victory in front of a healthy amount of Jackfish fans in attendance.

It was the playoff MVP, James Bradwell, who picked up the win (5). Bradwell threw seven and two-thirds innings of shutout baseball, striking out six. The right-hander finished with a perfect 5-0 record in the playoffs. Evan Soules was charged with the loss (1). 

Barrie’s lone run came from their RBI leader, Ryan Rijo, in the bottom of the eighth inning. Rijo drove in 16 runs in the playoffs, including three home runs, leading the team. Carson Burns picked up a pair of hits in three at-bats.

Welland hit three home runs in this game, two coming off the bat of Matteo Porcellato. Porcellato, who came into this game batting .195 in the postseason, drove in five tonight, scoring three runs. Gianfranco Morello also went deep, part of a three-hit night. Carlos Martinez, Sam Cawker, and Hogan Brown each cashed in two RBI.

With the final out made and the finals won, that marks the end of the 2023 Intercounty Baseball League season for both the Welland Jackfish and the Barrie Baycats. Next season, there will be a ninth team in the IBL as Chatham-Kent enters the league. For the Baycats, it will be a fresh start and a chance to get right back to the finals and give it another try to hoist the trophy.

Before that can happen, the offseason must come and go. To stay up-to-date with all Baycats offseason news, stay tuned to BarrieBaycats.com and the Baycats social media accounts.