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CARDINALS COME UP SHORT AGAINST BARRIE

Hours after the Cardinals’ comeback just fell short against the Guelph Royals, Hamilton battled with the Baycats. Barrie would jump out to an eight run lead before the Cardinals responded and came all the way back to tie the game. Hamilton would take the lead late in the game but a three-run home run in the ninth by Kyle Nichols gave the Baycats a 12-10 win. For the Cardinals, Dre Celestijn went two-for-four at the plate, driving in five runs.

Barrie got on the board early as Glenn Jackson, who doubled to open the inning, scored on Jordan Castaldo’s single. Nichols then hit his first home run of the game, a two-run shot, for a 3-0 lead. The Baycats extended their lead in the third. Castaldo doubled to cash in Jackson and then scored on a single from Nichols.

Barrie kept their foot on the gas, adding another three runs in the fourth but Hamilton would get on the board in the bottom half of the inning. Celestijn would get on when the Baycats’ first baseman dropped the ball trying to record the first out of the inning. Christ Beer would then double to put runners in scoring position. Nate Mastervick then singled to bring in Celestijn.

With runners on the corners, Mastervick would steal second base and with the second baseman bobbling the ball Beer would cross the plate to cut the lead to 8-2 through four innings.

The Cardinals completed the comeback in the fifth as they sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six times. Dave Vanderby opened the inning with a single then moved to second on a wild pitch. Liam Wilson would then draw a walk before Jake Foden loaded up the bases with a single. That set the scene for the IBL batting leader Celestijn who hit a grand slam. Later in the inning Cal Murphy would single in a run and the game tying run would score when Vanderby reached on an error in his second at bat of the inning.

However, the top of the Barrie batting order would do it again to Hamilton as Castaldo singled to record his third run batted in during the game and give the Baycats a 9-8 lead.

The Cardinals didn’t give up though as they responded and took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the eighth. Foden singled to center and scored on Celestijn’s double. Celestijn would move up to third on the play thanks to a fielding error by Barrie’s right fielder. Tyler Hardie then flew out to center which was deep enough to bring in Celestijn for the lead.

With just three outs separating Hamilton from a win DeGrace would double which was followed by a Castaldo walk. Nichols then hit a three-run home run to left to give the Baycats the lead again. This time it was safe as Hamilton could not respond in the bottom of the ninth.

For the Cardinals, Chris Lazar started the game but only lasted three and a third innings, giving up eight runs, two of which earned, on seven hits and three walks while striking out one. TJ Baker took over and would go four innings, allowing just one run on hit, walking two and striking out three. Russ Burroughs was tagged with the loss going one and two-thirds innings, three runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one.

For Barrie, Matthew St. Kitts went six innings without getting a decision. He would give up eight runs, six of them earned, on eight hits, walking two and striking out two. Jaspreet Shergill picked up the win, allowing two runs, one of which was unearned, on three hits and striking out one. Chris Nagorski earned the save allowing a walk but getting a double play and strikeout in the ninth.

Hamilton next take to the field on Thursday night when they travel to Kitchener to face the Panthers. The next night the Cardinals will host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Bernie Arbour. Game time both nights is 7:30pm.

Winning Pitcher: Jaspreet Shergill (2-1)
Losing Pitcher: Russ Burroughs (1-2)
Save: Chris Nagorski (3)

Barrie Hitters
Kyle Nichols – 3 for 4 (Single, 2-Run Home Run, 3-Run Home Run, Walk, 2 Runs, 7 RBIs)
Jordan Castaldo – 3 for 3 (2 Singles, Double, 2 Walks, 3 Runs, 3 RBIs)
Kyle DeGrace – 2 for 3 (Single, Double, Walk, Sacrifice Fly, Stolen Base, 3 RBIs)

Hamilton Hitters
Dre Celestijn – 2 for 4 (Double, Grand Slam, Walk, Reached on Error, 3 Runs, 5 RBIs)
Dave Vanderby – 2 for 4 (2 Singles, Reached on Error, Run)
Jake Foden – 2 for 5 (2 Singles, Strikeout, 2 Runs)

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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