Jackfish beat defending champs in opener

WELLAND – Welland opened the 2025 season by taking down the defending champion Barrie Baycats, 9-3, on Saturday night at home.  

Jonah Weisner went 3-for-5 atop the Jackfish lineup with a home run and two RBI. Greyson Barrett hit a solo blast, Gianfranco Morello went 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run, Brandon Hupe singled three times and stole a base, Brendan Luther and Tyson Gomm each had two hits and combined to score three runs, and Jake Sanford drove in a run.  

On the mound, Ben Abram (1-0) went seven innings and allowed two runs on five hits. He walked four and fanned seven.  

Ryan Rijo and Leliis Beltran each hit solo home runs for the Baycats (0-2). Tristan Clarke singled twice, doubled and drove in a run.  

Chris Lazar (0-1) was tagged with the loss in relief. He yielded five runs (two earned) on eight hits, a walk and a strikeout in two innings. He replaced Carlos Sano, who threw two scoreless innings with a strikeout.