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FODEN LEADS CARDINALS TO FATHER’S DAY VICTORY

Hamilton looked to rebound after the loss to Burlington on Friday night and did so in IBL action at Bernie Arbour on Sunday afternoon, defeating Guelph by a score of 16-9. The game was a see-saw battle which saw the Cardinals blow the doors open in the eighth when they scored eight times to seal the victory. For Hamilton Jake Foden went five-for-five at the plate, scoring three times and picking up three runs batted in. In the loss, Matt Schmidt and Jeff MacLeod each had home runs for the Royals while Jake Chiaravalle knocked one out of the park for the home side.

Guelph opened the scoring in the third inning on Schmidt’s three-run home run. The Cardinals responded right away as David Vanderby and Marcus Dicenzo drew walks to open the inning. Foden then singled to load up the bases before TJ Baker hit a sac fly to bring in the first run. Laine Renaud followed up with a double to tie the game at three.

It didn’t stay tied for long as MacLeod led off with a solo home run in the top of the fourth to give the Royals the lead for the second time of the day.

The game remained that way until the fifth inning when Renaud reached base on the second error of the inning by Guelph which allowed a run to cross the plate for Hamilton. A second Hamilton runner would cross the plate in the inning before Chiaravalle hit a mammoth solo home run to straight away centre field, past the 400-foot mark.

Hamilton would go on to put up two runs in the seventh and eight runs in the eighth while the Royals combined for five runs over their final two at bats to make the score 16-9 for the home side.

For the Cardinals, Chris Lazar picked up his first win of the season, going seven and two-thirds innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits, walking two batters and striking out five. Benson Merritt finished off the game with an inning and a third on the mound for the save, allowing two runs on four hits, one walk and one strikeout.

For Guelph, Adrian Yuen started the game but only went two innings, allowing two hits. Tyler Vavra came in and pitched the third, allowing three runs on two hits and three walks. Justin Cline took the loss, lasting two innings on the mound, allowing three runs, only one of which was earned, on three hits. Jake Sims, MacLeod and Schmidt would each pitch an inning to close out the game. Sims faced six batters, walking three and striking out two. MacLeod would allow two runs on two hits, a walk and struck out one batter. Schmidt finished the game allowing eight runs on nine hits and striking out one batter.

Hamilton is off until Wednesday night when they travel to Christie Pits in Toronto to face the Maple Leafs starting at 7:35 PM. The next home action for the Cardinals is Friday night when they host the Kitchener Panthers at Bernie Arbour starting at 7:30 PM.

The Hamilton Cardinals and Buffalo Wild Wings are teaming up to raise funds for the Special Olympics Hamilton Softball team. At the Ancaster location of Buffalo Wild Wings at 1015 Golf Links Road between 6 and 8 PM this Monday to eat wings and raise funds. Members of the Cardinals will be special guest servers and 10 percent of the bill will be donated to the Special Olympics Hamilton Softball team.

Winning Pitcher: Chris Lazar (1-1)
Losing Pitcher: Justin Cline (0-1)
Save: Benson Merritt (1)

Guelph Hitters
Matt Schmidt – 4 for 5 (2 Singles, Double, 3-Run Home Run, 2 Runs, 4 RBIs)
Kingsley Alarcon – 2 for 3 (2 Singles, Walk, Run, RBI)
Marquis Kidd – 2 for 5 (Single, Double, 2 RBIs)

Hamilton Hitters
Jake Foden – 5 for 5 (5 Singles, Walk, 3 Runs, 3 RBIs)
Jake Chiaravalle – 4 for 5 (3 Singles, Solo Home Run, 3 Runs, RBI)
Marcus Dicenzo – 2 for 3 (2 Singles, Fielder’s Choice, 2 Walks, 2 Runs, 2 RBIs)

Fans can now sign up for the all new team newsletter called the Cardinals Chatter. To sign up, head to the Cardinals website at www.iblcardinals.com and fill out the form on the Cardinals Chatter page.

2017 season tickets are now available and can be ordered by emailing the team at IBLCardinals@gmail.com. Tickets for all Hamilton Cardinals home games are available at the Bernie Arbour Stadium Box Office on game day.

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