Cardinals late comeback not enough as Jackfish win on Sunday afternoon
The Cardinals pushed the Jackfish to the limits in the 8th inning but it was the Jackfish that were able to widen the gap in the 9th and come away with a 9-4 victory.
The Welland Jackfish got off to a strong start, scoring two runs in the first inning. Hamilton Cardinals responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning, but Welland maintained their lead. Both teams had a scoreless second inning, but Welland extended their lead in the third inning with another run. Hamilton struggled to find their rhythm offensively, failing to score in the third, fourth, and fifth innings.
In the top of the fourth inning, Welland added another run to their tally, bringing the score to 4-1. The game remained relatively quiet until the seventh inning when the Cardinals finally found their offense. They scored two runs, narrowing the gap to 4-3. However, the Jackfish quickly responded with a run in the eighth inning, extending their lead to 5-3. The Cardinals added another run in the 8th to close the gap to 5-4. The Cardinals gave up some critical errors in the field allowing the Welland Jackfish to score four runs and securing their victory.
Pitching played a crucial role in the game, with both teams utilizing multiple pitchers throughout the match. Jackman delivered an impressive performance, pitching six innings and allowing only one earned run. He was supported by Lawson, Mueller, and Deivy Mendez, who combined to close out the game effectively.
Jayson Wilbur started on the mound for the Hamilton Cardinals, but he struggled, allowing four runs in four innings. The Cardinals also used Corben, Riley Young, and Stefan Strecker in relief efforts.
Offensively, the Welland Jackfish had an exceptional day, recording 13 hits. Smibert had a standout performance, going 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs. Other notable contributors included Hunt, who went 3-for-5 with an RBI, and Pearce, who had two hits and an RBI.
The Hamilton Cardinals had a solid offensive showing as well, with 10 hits in the game. Tyler Duncan stood out with a triple, while Luis Bernardo recorded two RBIs. However, their efforts fell short against Welland's strong pitching and offensive firepower.
With this victory, the Welland Jackfish improved their season record to 9 wins and 2 losses, maintaining their position at the top of the standings. The Hamilton Cardinals' record now stands at 7 wins and 5 losses.
The Cardinals return home this Friday night against the Barrie Baycats.