Morello powers Jackfish past Barnstormers

WELLAND – Gianfranco Morello finished a home run short of the cycle in Welland’s 9-4 win on Saturday over Chatham-Kent in a first-place battle at Welland Stadium. 

Morello singled in the third inning, laced an RBI double in the fourth, and then tripled home a run in the sixth. Pier-Olivier Boucher and Matteo Porcellato drove in two runs apiece, Brendan Luther singled twice and drove in a run, Brandon Hupe had three hits and scored three times, and Robert Mullen added an RBI.  

Ben Abram (4-2) fanned four over seven innings to earn the win on the mound. He was charged with three runs (two earned) on nine hits and a walk.  

The Jackfish improved to 16-6 and leads the Barnstormers by 2.5 games atop the standings.  

Evan Morrison, Spencer Morin and Mitsuki Fukada all drove in a run for the Barnstormers (14-9). Sadler Goodwin singled three times, while Spencer Marcus and Lee Kucera both had two hits. 

Mizuki Akatsuka (2-3) started on the mound and went six innings, giving up nine runs (eight earned) on 10 hits with two walks and three strikeouts.