Baycats win eighth IBL title

GUELPH – The Baycats did it again.

And this time they were perfect.

Barrie, which entered the playoffs as second seed, won its eighth Intercounty Baseball County title after beating Guelph 6-2 Saturday night at David E. Hastings Stadium. The Baycats swept the best-of-seven series and went 10-0 in the postseason, eliminating Toronto and London before taking down the fourth-seed Royals.

Barrie last won in 2019 to cap a stretch of six straight championships. The team made it to last year’s Jack and Lynne Dominico Cup final before losing to Welland.

Baycats’ starting pitcher Frank Garces (3-0) was dominant on the mound, allowing an unearned run over eight innings. He scattered eight hits, walked one and fanned four.

Offensively, Ryan Rijo went 4-for-5 with two RBI. Brandon Hernandez had three hits and an RBI, while Hayden Jaco and Adam Odd each drove in a run. Canice Ejoh and Nolan Machibroda both had two hits and combined to score three times.

Conner Morro went 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Royals, who advanced to the final after sweeping Chatham-Kent and eliminating the defending champion Jackfish in five.

Ethan Hammond drove in a run, and Ashton Patterson had three hits.

Drew Durst (1-2) lasted three innings and gave up three runs on four hits with two walks and a strikeout.

Photo Credit Bob Hurley Photography