Schmidt powers Welland past Guelph

WELLAND – Matt Schmidt broke a season-long slump in a big way Thursday night.

After going 0-for-14, the Welland Jackfish outfielder from Dundee, Ill., went 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs in a 16-8 win over the Guelph Royals.

Wilson Soriano and Andrew Mercier each had two hits, two RBI and two runs, Nate Mastervick drove in three and scored twice, Grant Okawa had three RBI and a run, DeAndre Asbury-Heath singled twice and scored twice, Brendon Dadson drove in a run and scored, and Greg Marco added an RBI.

Euclides Leyer (3-1) grinded out the win, allowing six runs on six hits with six walks and seven strikeouts over five innings.

Kyle Kush went 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs to lead the Royals. Jeff MacLeod had three hits, including a solo home run, and scored three times, Sean Reilly doubled and drove in two, and Angel Villalona singled twice and had an RBI.

Losing pitcher Joel Espinal (1-1) was touched for eight runs (six earned) on eight hits over 3.2 innings, walking three and striking out four.

Welland improved to 5-3, and Guelph dropped to 5-5.