Baycats strike first in IBL final

BARRIE – After falling behind early, the Barrie Baycats scored seven straight runs to beat the Kitchener Panthers 7-4 in Game 1 of the Dominico Cup final Tuesday night at Coates Stadium. 

Ryan Spataro went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run for the Baycats, who are 9-0 in the playoffs. Jordan Castaldo singled twice and drove in two, Starlin Rodriguez plated a pair of runs and stole two bases while driving in one, Kyle DeGrace and Ryan Rijo each had an RBI, Conner Morro and Branfy Infante both scored a run, and Jon Waltenbury singled and doubled. 

Emilis Guerrero(4-0) went six innings for the win, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Adam Hawes recorded the last three outs for his first save of the playoffs. He yielded a hit and struck out one. 

For Kitchener, Brian Burton and Mike Gordner each homered in the fourth inning as the Panthers jumped out to a 4-0 lead.
Burton’s blast came with two on base, and Gordner’s was a solo shot. 

Jasvir Rakkar (2-1) took the loss, allowing six runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings. He walked five and struck out five.