“Right to plan” was how Barrie Baycats President & Manager Josh Matlow characterized last night’s win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Good defence leads to offence
It was a tightly contested game at Vintage Throne Stadium on Thursday evening.
The Baycats carried a 1-0 lead through eight innings before surrendering a solo home run in the ninth. Despite the late mishap, the Baycats rallied to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning. While the Maple Leafs committed an error on a Tyler Plumpton fly ball, pinch-runner James Anderson scored to win the game, 2-1.
The bullpen played remarkably during the team’s home opener. Baycats starting pitcher Jayson Aquino made it through five innings while striking out seven batters. Aidan Rossel, Brandon Hillier, and Chris Cox also contributed.
Closer Brad Grieveson (1-0) earned two strikeouts and the win despite surrendering a run late in the frame.
Adam Odd and Noel McGarry-Doyle had two hits each in the game.
Odd suffered an apparent leg injury late in the game while running to first base. He is day-to-day on the Baycats’ website.
Improved pitching aims to elevate Baycats
The team’s first-rate arms were on full display against the Maple Leafs.
“Our pitching, in my mind, is the best in the league,” Matlow shared.
Dominican pitcher Juan Benitez will start on Saturday against the Hamilton Cardinals. The game begins at 4 pm at Vintage Throne Stadium. Further, the returning import players will factor into the Baycats’ aspirations for another championship.
Visit the Barrie Baycats page here for more schedule information.
