Down to their last strike in Game 4 of the Dominico Cup final Wednesday night at Vintage Throne Stadium in Midhurst, the Welland Jackfish scored twice in the top of the ninth inning to shock the Barrie Baycats with a 3-2 win.
With the victory, the top-seeded Jackfish evened the best-of-seven series at two games apiece heading back to Welland for Game 5. The Baycats had a 2-0 lead in the championship series after the first two games.
After getting a fly-out and ground-out to open the ninth, Baycats closer Brad Grieveson hit Matteo Porcellato with the first pitch of the next at-bat.
Grieveson had Jackfish batter Carlos Martinez in a 1-2 hole before Martinez belted a curveball over the left-field fence to give Welland its first lead of the game.
Welland’s Deivy Mendez struck out Canice Ejoh to finish the comeback.
Brandon Underhill earned the win in one inning of relief. He took over from Welland starter Jake Harford, who allowed two runs on eight hits over seven innings with a pair of walks and eight strikeouts.
Barrie's Royce Ando went 4-for-4 at the plate with an RBI, which scored in the second and seventh innings and looked headed for a third win. Baycats infielder Carson Burns had two hits and drove in a run, and third-baseman Adam Odd went 2-for-4 and scored once.
Baycats starter Frank Garces struck out 10 batters over eight innings. He gave up a run on four hits with two walks.
Game 5 of the series goes Thursday night in Welland, beginning at 7:25 p.m., followed by Game 6 on Saturday night back at the Barrie Community Sports Complex.
PLAYOFFS
WELLAND (1) VS. BARRIE (3)
Series tied 2-2
Game 1: Barrie 4, Welland 3
Game 2: Barrie 5, Welland 3
Game 3: Welland 13, Barrie 1
Game 4: Welland 3, Barrie 2
Game 5: Thursday, Sept. 14 at Welland, 7:25 p.m.
Game 6: Saturday, Sept. 16 at Barrie, 7:05 p.m.
* Game 7: Sunday, Sept. 17 at Welland, 4:05 p.m.
*If necessary
