Cardinals Lose Home Opener 10-5
The Guelph Royals emerged victorious with a 10-5 win over the Hamilton Cardinals in front of a crowd of 736 at CARSTAR Field.
The Royals got off to a strong start, scoring a run in the first inning. The Hamilton Cardinals responded in the bottom of the first by scoring two runs to take an early lead. However, the Royals quickly regained control, putting up three runs in the second inning and extending their lead to 4-2.
The fourth inning proved to be pivotal for the Royals as they added three more runs to their tally, widening the gap to 7-2. The Hamilton Cardinals struggled to mount a comeback, failing to score until the end of the game.
The Guelph Royals' offensive effort was led by center fielder JD Williams, who had an outstanding game, going 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored and one RBI. He displayed exceptional batting skills, finishing with a perfect batting average of 1.000. Additionally, first baseman Ethan Hammond contributed significantly with two hits, including a double, two runs scored, and two RBIs. Designated hitter Brendan Keys also had a notable performance, driving in two runs.
On the pitching side, Jared Kennedy of the Guelph Royals played a crucial role in their victory. He delivered an impressive performance, pitching two scoreless innings and striking out five batters. His solid outing helped secure the win for the Royals.
Despite their efforts, the Hamilton Cardinals fell short in their attempt to stage a comeback. Shortstop Charlie Towers and right fielder Tyler Duncan were among the few Cardinals players who managed to register hits in the game.
With this victory, the Guelph Royals improved their record to 1-0 for the season, while the Hamilton Cardinals dropped to 1-1-0.
Despite the loss, Cardinals fans enjoyed the new game day experience featuring in-game host Emily Thompson and new mascot Bernie R. Bird!