Baycats' Rodriguez caps dramatic Game 1 win

Photo by Brian Backland

BARRIE – Starlin Rodriguez's RBI single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth lifted the Barrie Baycats to a 3-2 win over the visiting Welland Jackfish in Game 1 of their IBL semifinal Saturday night at Coates Stadium.

Glenn Jackson reached base to open the inning and moved 180 feet on a bunt and a walk. Rodriguez singled to centre-field on an 0-2 pitch to drive in the winning run.

Jackson and Conner Morro had the other RBI. Ryan Rijo singled and doubled as Barrie had six hits in total.

Santos Arias (1-0) picked up the win after going one scoreless inning of relief. He struck out two.

Adrian Salcedo started and went eight innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits with three walks and 10 strikeouts.

Rich Corrente (0-1) took the loss, giving up a run on two hits with a walk without recording an out.

Starter Euclides Leyer hurled eight innings, allowing two runs on four hits with four walks and 11 strikeouts.

Andrew Mercier, Vaughn Bryan and Tyler Wood all had two hits for the Jackfish. Bryce O'Farrell had the lone RBI.

Welland led 1-0 early and then tied the game in the eighth.