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LATE ERRORS COST CARDINALS

Hamilton and Burlington entered Sunday afternoon’s IBL game each looking for a win and it would be the Bandits who walked out of Bernie Arbour Stadium in Hamilton with the win. Julian Johnson went three-for-five with a run for Burlington while the Cardinals’ Chris Beer went two-for-four with two runs and two RBIs. Benson Merritt allowed two unearned runs for Hamilton but kept his team in the game.

Justin Gideon led off the game for Burlington with a single and moved to second when Greg Marco grounded out to first. Shawn Mayhew would then single to put runners on the corners. A couple batters later Carlos Villoria doubled to bring in the game’s opening run. Mayhew also tried to score on the play but he was thrown out to end the inning.

The Bandits extended their lead in the third, scoring a pair of runs. Grant Okawa led off with a walk and then moved to third on a Gideon double. Mayhew would later ground out to bring Okawa. Kevin Hussey then singled to bring in Burlington’s second run of the inning, for a 3-0 lead.

With the score 5-0 in the fourth, the Cardinals would get on the board. Marcus Dicenzo led off the inning by taking a walk and then moved to second on a Chris Beer free pass. Merritt would then lay down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up before Kyle Adoranti singled to cash both runners in.

In the sixth, Dicenzo would pick up his second walk of the game before Tyler Hardie singled to move Dicenzo to second. Beer would then double to bring in both runners and make it a one run game. Derek Bishop would later hit a two out single which allowed Beer to score and tie the game at five.

Burlington took the lead for good in the seventh when pinch hitter Jim Martin, who had reached base on an error, scored on a double play. The Bandits would also add four more runs, all unearned, in the ninth as Hamilton committed four errors in the inning.

For the Cardinals, Tim Black went three innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, a walk and a strikeout. Merritt, took the loss, allowing two unearned runs on four hits, two walks while striking out two over five innings. Rhys Tapper pitched the final innings, allowing three unearned runs on three hits.

For Burlington, Ryan Beckett started the game and got no decision as he went five innings, allowing two runs on four hits, walking two and striking out five. Christian Hauck picked up the win in relief of Beckett, going three innings, allowing three runs on five hits, walking three and striking out five. Branden Kuzyk finished off the game, allowing a hit, a walk and striking out one of the five batters he faced.

Hamilton’s Lake Molleson left the game in the top of the third after injuring himself diving for a fly ball.

The Cardinals will return to the diamond on Thursday night when they travel to Jack Couch Park in Kitchener to face the Panthers. The next night they return home to host the Guelph Royals on Cable 14 Night. Cable 14 will be at the game and taping it for broadcast on Saturday night. Game time both days is 7:30 PM.

Winning Pitcher: Christian Hauck (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Benson Merritt (0-1)

Burlington Hitters
Justin Gideon – 2 for 3 (Single, Double, Hit by Pitch, Walk, 3 Runs)
Julian Johnson – 3 for 5 (2 Singles, Double, Run)
Nolan Pettipiece – 2 for 5 (Single, Double, Run, 2 RBIs)

Hamilton Hitters
Marcus Dicenzo – 2 for 3 (2 Singles, 2 Walks, Strikeout, 2 Runs)
Chris Beer – 2 for 4 (Single, Double, Walk, Strikeout, 2 Runs, 2 RBIs)
Kyle Adoranti – 1 for 4 (Single, Walk, 2 RBIs)

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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