Royals steal home field against Jackfish

WELLAND – Guelph stole home field advantage against Welland with a 4-2 series-opening win on Thursday.

Garrett Takamatsu went 2-for-4 with two RBI for the Royals, who improved to 4-0 in the playoffs. Carson Burns drove in a run, and Conner Morro went 3-for-5 and scored twice.

Evan Grills (2-0), after throwing a complete game in the first round against Chatham-Kent, allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits over seven frames. He walked one and fanned five. Drew Durst struck out three in two scoreless innings of relief to earn the save.

Steven Moretto and Dawson Tweet drove in Welland’s runs in the fourth inning. Ben Abram (0-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on nine hits over 5.1 innings. He walked two and struck out seven.