Baycats sweep Leafs

BARRIE – The Barrie Baycats punched their ticket to the second round after sweeping Toronto in the quarter-final.

Brandon Hernandez had four of Barrie’s 18 hits and drove in three. He also scored three times. Nolan Machibroda went 2-for-5 with four RBI, Royce Ando and Tyler Plumpton each had two hits and two RBI, Adan Odd, Canice Ejoh and Ryan Rijo all had two hits, an RBI and scored twice, while Ejoh also swiped two bases. Malik Williams picked up two RBI and Brad McQuinn drove in a run.

Juan Benitez (1-0) went seven innings for the win. He allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits with five walks and four strikeouts.

Jesse Hodges hit two solo home runs for the Leafs, who went deep five times. Justin Marra drilled a three-run blast, and Mike Cecchetto and Johnathan Solazzo each hit a solo home run. Jose Vinicio added an RBI.

Leafs’ starting pitcher Sam Greene gave up seven runs on seven hits in four innings to take the loss. He walked six and struck out two.