Hamilton Takes Season Opener 11-1
The Hamilton Cardinals defeated the Brantford Red Sox 11-1 on the road in their season opener on Friday night.
Luis Jean had an outstanding game hitting for the cycle. Jean hit a double in the first, a single in the fifth, a triple in the eighth and was able to cap it off with a homer in the top of the ninth.
The Cardinals offence produced early and often to give them a dominant victory to start off the year. The bats were hot as the Cards pounded 11 runs on 14 hits while the Hamilton pitching staff surrendered just three hits and a run in the contest.
Starting pitcher Ben Braun pitched six scoreless innings for the Cardinals, striking out five batters and giving up just two hits. Braun was credited with the win and Red Sox pitcher Bennett Moore took the loss.
Relief pitcher Jacob Gajic pitched the 7th and 8th innings surrendering one run on one hit.
Veteran Stefan Strecker closed out the game for the Cardinals, three up, three down in the bottom of the ninth.
Notably, Brantford pitcher Jackson Soucie struck out eight batters in his three innings of work.
Cardinals outfielder and 2021 IBL all-star Justin Gideon recorded three hits, four RBI’s, and a stolen base in the game.
Hamilton will play their second game of the season on Saturday, May 21 on the road in Barrie against the Baycats at 4 p.m.
The Cardinals will then play their home opener on Sunday, May 22 at Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium against the Guelph Royals at 2:05 p.m.
Written by Jarrett Matthews
Photo by Art Ward