Baycats one win from final

HAMILTON – Frank Garces struck out six over seven shutout innings, and the Barrie Baycats beat Hamilton 7-1 on Sunday at Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five semifinal.  

Garces (2-0) scattered seven hits and didn’t issue a walk.  

Nolan Machibroda led the Baycats’ offence with three hits, two RBI and two RBI. Hayden Jaco drove in two, Francisco Hernandez had an RBI, and Noel McGarry Doyle and Noah Hall had three hits apiece.  

Niko Kekatos had four hits and an RBI for the Cardinals. Tyler Duncan singled and scored.  

Owen Boon (2-1) took the loss after allowing four runs (two earned) on nine hits in 5.2 innings. He fanned four without walking anyone.  

Game 3 is Tuesday in Barrie as the defending champion Baycats look to earn another berth in the final.