Baycats Edge Jackfish 6-5 Behind Clutch Hits and Resilient Pitching

WELLAND – The Barrie Baycats earned a huge 6-5 win over the red-hot Welland Jackfish thanks to big hits from Canice Ejoh and Brandon Hernandez and great all-around pitching on the mound.

Cesar Rosado bounced back from his start last Sunday in Guelph and was solid tonight, striking out nine batters and allowing just one earned run against a very good Jackfish lineup. His poise on the mound was pivotal in securing his fifth win of the season.

Brandon Hernandez came through for the Baycats in the top of the third inning, driving in the first run. Canice Ejoh crossed the plate to give Barrie the early lead, setting the stage for what would be a tightly contested and fantastic game.

In the fourth inning, Barrie added three more runs to their tally. It was Ejoh and Hernandez again, each driving in another run. An error by the Jackfish further contributed as the Baycats went up 4-1.

Greyson Barrett's solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning off Christian Lazar narrowed the gap for the Jackfish, cutting Barrie's lead to 4-2. Barrett would be trouble for Lazar again in the eighth with a three-run shot to make it a one-run game but the veteran lefty got through it, sending the game into the ninth.

A shallow fly ball from Jake Sanford in that eighth inning saw a freakish scenario occur as Adam Odd and Noel McGarry Doyle ran into each other, both trying to make a play. The ball fell in for a single but Barrie’s – and soon everyone in the ballpark’s – concern was the collision that took place. 

Both McGarry Doyle and Odd were taken out of the game with undisclosed injuries. Unfortunately, the Injury bug stayed around and after Zac Orchard grounded out in the ninth, he was seen in discomfort. Orchard also left with an unknown injury.

It was 6-5 Baycats heading into the bottom of the ninth where we saw a unique defensive alignment on the right side of the infield. As usual, when this stuff happens in baseball, the play finds you. Ryan Lacasse – who came in to play second base for Adam Odd in the eighth inning – threw the ball to Christian Lazar – who went from on the mound to first base – to end the ball game. 

Carlos Sano escaped trouble in the ninth to pick up the save, his second in as many games. 

Baycats win 6-5.