Welland spreads offence in win over Leafs

WELLAND -- Seven different Welland players drove in a run, and the Jackfish scored six times in the eighth to secure a 15-9 win over Toronto Thursday night at home. 

Nolan Pettipiece drove in five on a pair of hits to lead the way. Matt Hilderbrandt had two hits and drove in three, Dane Tofteland went 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run, Griffin Keller drove in a run and scored twice, Brendon Dadson went 3-for-6 with an RBI and a run, Brandon Nicholson had two hits, two runs and an RBI, Eric Marriott drove in a run and scored three times, and Mike Wagner and Cole Warken each scored twice. 

Robert Mackie (1-0) gave up a hit and a walk while striking out two in 1.2 scoreless innings of relief for the win. Welland starter Kris Nichols was pulled with one out in the fourth after giving up six runs (two earned) on eight hits. He walked four and struck out two. 

Third-place Welland moved to 14-13. 

For Toronto (14-14), Connor Lewis went 4-for-5 with three RBI and two runs, Justin Marra and Marcus Knecht each had two hits and two RBI, Garret Takamatsu drove in a run, and Sean Reilly and Jordan Castaldo each singled twice and scored.

Adam Marra (2-2) was touched for six runs on five hits in two-thirds of an inning. Justin Cicatello started and went four innings, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits, walking four and striking out two.