Cardinals roar back from nine-run deficit to stun Jackfish

Photo by CJH Photography

HAMILTON -- Trailing by nine in the fifth inning didn't deter the Hamilton Cardinals, who reeled off 11 straight runs and then held on for an improbable 14-13 win over Welland Sunday afternoon at Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium.

Hamilton (10-12) scored five in the fifth to make it close, then pulled ahead for good with a six-run sixth to stun the Jackfish. 

Ryan Burnside went 4-for-5 and finished a triple short of the cycle to lead the Cards. Hamilton's DH drove in four and scored three times. Justin Gideon picked up three hits, including his fourth home run, and added three RBI and three runs, while Josh Niles also went deep as part of a three-hit afternoon. Giles had two RBI and two runs. 

Jordan Young drove in three on a pair of hits, Ryan Freemantle scored twice, and Chris Procopio and Jeremie Veilleux each had an RBI. 

Connor Mitchell (1-0) allowed a run on two hits in two innings of relief for the win. Stefan Strecker picked up his fourth save despite giving up two runs on three hits in the top of the ninth. He stranded the tying run on third. 

Hamilton starter Ben Braun was tagged for 10 runs (six earned) on 14 hits over five innings. He walked five and struck out four. 

Dane Tofteland led the Jackfish (11-11) with two home runs -- his fifth and sixth of the season -- and six RBI. Griffin Keller went 5-for-6 with four runs, Mike Wagner singled three times and drove in three, Eric Marriott went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs, Brendon Dadson singled and doubled, Cole Warken picked up three hits, an RBI and a run, and Matt Hilderbrandt added an RBI. 

Eric Hegadoren (0-3) took the loss, giving up four runs on five hits in an inning. He struck out one. Jake Polancic started and allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits over five innings, walking three and striking out nine.