Royals force Game 5

GUELPH – Home field has lived up to its name in the semifinal between Guelph and Welland. 

The Royals forced Game 5 in the IBL semifinal with a 2-1 win Wednesday, and both of its victories in the series have come at David E. Hastings Stadium.  

Welland’s wins have also come at home, and the Jackfish will host the deciding game on Thursday.  

Guelph’s runs in Game 4 came in the sixth inning. Trailing 1-0, Franklin Torres scored the tying run on a dropped third strike, and Conner Morro scored the go-ahead run three batters later on a wild pitch. Sebastian Khan had the Royals’ only two hits, both singles.  

Edgar Garcia (1-0) picked up the win on the mound, allowing a run on four hits over six innings. He walked four and struck out six. Claudio Custodio fanned four over three hitless innings to earn the save.  

Gianfranco Morello hit an RBI double to score Brandon Hupe for the first-place Jackfish. 

Jose Dominguez (0-1) took the loss after giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits in six frames. He walked five and struck out eight.  

The winner of Game 5 will face defending champion Barrie in the final.