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CARDINALS CLOSE REGULAR SEASON WITH WIN

Hamilton ended of the 2016 IBL regular season on Friday night at Bernie Arbour when they defeated the Guelph Royals by a final score of 5-4. The win moves the Cardinals into seventh place by half a game over Guelph who has one game remaining. Robert Wilson led Hamilton on the mound going six innings while Liam Wilson led the team at the plate with three hits and three runs batted in. For the Royals, five different players had a hit in the game.

Guelph jumped out to an early one run lead in the top of the first. Kingsley Alarcon led off the game with a walk and then stole second base. On the steal the ball got away from the fielders to allow Alarcon to move up to third. Later in the inning Aaron Loder would ground out for the second out but it would allow Alarcon to score.

In the bottom of the third Hamilton would get on the board. Geoff Seto would reach base on a fielder’s choice and move to third on Connor Bowie’s single to center field. Liam Wilson would later hit a two out single which brought in both runners and gave the Cardinals a 2-1 lead.

Pat Coughlin would regain the lead for the Royals in the top of the fifth when he hit a two out single down the right field line which allowed Blake Kauer and Adam Rossit to score. However, Hamilton cane back with two of their own runs in their half of the inning. Liam Wilson would double to left to bring in Bowie and Jake Foden.

Alarcon would lead off the seventh inning with a walk and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Matt Schmitt. That play would be crucial as Loder would hit a double with two outs to score Alarcon to tie the game at four.

Hamilton retook the lead in the eighth and held onto it for good. TJ Baker drew a one out walk then advanced to second when Chris Beer reached base on an error. Nate Mastervick would then load up the bases with a single with just one out in the inning. After a strikeout Seto would draw a walk to score Baker for the eventual winning run.

For the Cardinals, Robert Wilson went six innings, allowing three unearned runs on three hits, walking four batters and striking out six. Benson Merritt would pick up the win in relief going two and two-thirds innings, allowing a run on two hits, walking one batter and striking out one. Russ Burroughs earned the save allowing a walk to one of the three batters he faced.

For Guelph, Alberto Rodriguez took the loss going seven and a third innings, allowing five runs, one of which was unearned, on seven hits, walking two batters and striking out six. AJ Mackey went the final two-thirds of an inning, walking one and striking out two.

Hamilton will now do some scoreboard watching to find out who they will face in the first round. A Guelph win over Burlington on Saturday would move the Cardinals back into eighth place. Also still up for grabs is first place in the IBL. If Kitchener can win their final game on Sunday, there will be a one game playoff between the Panthers and London Majors for the league pennant.

Winning Pitcher: Benson Merritt (2-2)
Losing Pitcher: Alberto Rodriguez (3-4)
Save: Russ Burroughs (2)

Guelph Hitters
Kingsley Alarcon – 1 for 2 (Single, 2 Walks, Sacrifice Bunt, 2 Stolen Bases, 2 Runs)
Pat Coughlin – 1 for 3 (Single, 2 Walks, 2 RBIs)
Aaron Loder – 1 for 4 (Double, Hit by Pitch, 2 RBIs)

Hamilton Hitters
Liam Wilson – 3 for 4 (2 Singles, Double, 3 RBIs)
TJ Baker – 1 for 3 (Single, Walk, Stolen Base, Strikeout, Run)
Tyler Hardie – 1 for 4 (Single, Strikeout, RBI)

Tickets for all Hamilton Cardinals home games are available at the Bernie Arbour Stadium Box Office on game day. For more information on Cardinals season passes email iblcardinals@gmail.com or visit the team’s website at www.iblcardinals.com.

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