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Intercounty Basbeall League (ON)

News: IBL Power Rankings: Week 2

By Chris LazarWhat an opening week it was.Surprising results, breathtaking comebacks, massive blowouts, and everything in between – the first week of the 2023 IBL season gave us a little bit of everything. If the first few games are any indication of what to look forward to this summer, we should expect the unexpected.#8. Brantford…

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By Chris Lazar

What an opening week it was.

Surprising results, breathtaking comebacks, massive blowouts, and everything in between – the first week of the 2023 IBL season gave us a little bit of everything. If the first few games are any indication of what to look forward to this summer, we should expect the unexpected.

#8. Brantford Red Sox (0-2, Previous Week: 8)

After an opening day blowout loss to the Kitchener Panthers, the Red Sox showed a very encouraging performance Sunday night in Barrie. The most notable improvement from game one was the defense – six errors Friday, zero against the Baycats. Jeremie Veilleux provided their highlight of the week, hitting a two-run homer on Sunday. If Brantford can continue to show incremental improvements throughout the year, they could be an interesting team to follow.

#7. Welland Jackfish (0-2, Previous Week: 2)

I don’t think the Jackfish are the 2nd worst team in the league, however the first week did not go well. A hard-fought defeat in their opener against Hamilton was followed up by an uninspiring performance at Jack Couch to close the week. The pitching staff – viewed as a strength of this team – had nine walks against the Panthers, while the lineup struck out 13 times. Last season’s Rookie of the Year Sam Cawker provided all the offense on Sunday, going 3-for-4 and driving in all six runs. Maybe this weekend is the wakeup call Welland needs to turn things around, because they should be better than what they showed.

#6. London Majors (0-3, Previous Week: 1)

The defending champs got punched in the mouth this week, falling twice to the team they defeated in last year’s finals. The first matchup featured them blowing a 4-1 lead in the eighth inning, while the second was a controversial, ejection-filled mess – Keith Kandel, Austin Wilkie, and manager Roop Chanderdat were all tossed before the fifth inning was over. The weekend ended with another blown lead, getting walked off by Hamilton spoiling another stellar start from Owen Boon. It was Murphy’s Law for London this week, but if there’s one thing we know about Chanderdat’s club it’s that they almost certainly will bounce back.

#5. Barrie Baycats (2-0, Previous Week: 6)

Barrie gave their fans a thrilling comeback on opening day, putting up five in the 9th inning to walk-off Toronto 11-10. Ryan Rijo was the hero, lining the first pitch he saw back up the middle to drive in the winning run. Evan Soules was excellent Sunday night against Brantford, throwing 8 and 1/3 innings in relief, with his only blemish being the two-run shot by Veilleux. There are still some concerns about their starting pitching, but so far so good for the seven-time champions.

#4. Guelph Royals (1-1, Previous Week: 4)

A tale of two games for the Royals this week – a big win followed by a blowout loss. Friday saw Guelph convincingly defeat the Hamilton Cardinals to spoil their home opener, although it didn’t come without consequence. Highly touted import Dario Alvarez left the game two pitches into his outing with what appeared to be an arm injury. Their second game was a familiar story for anybody who has traveled to Christie Pits for a Sunday afternoon game. Sloppy defense, walks galore, and a lineup lacking some of their top hitters led to a rough end to their week. The injury to Alvarez is the biggest concern coming out of the long weekend, as that would be a difficult arm to replace for a pitching staff that already lacks depth.

#3. Hamilton Cardinals (2-1, Previous Week: 5)

The Cardinals ushered in their new era in strong fashion, putting together a pair of one-run victories, capped off by a Clayton Keyes walk-off single to defeat last year’s champs. The formula for their wins was one we hear about good baseball teams all the time – pitching and defense. The Cardinals allowed five runs and only committed one error in the two victories. The best part for Hamilton? They’re expected to add more arms now that college seasons are coming to an end. If they continue to attack the strike zone and play solid defense, they should be a strong team all season.

#2. Kitchener Panthers (2-0, Previous Week: 7)

We may have underestimated this team. Kitchener started off their season with a bang, scoring 32 runs over their first two games. The middle of their lineup is among the best in the league, headlined by local names Andy Leader, Liam Wilson, and Elliott Curtis. The Cuban impact is already being felt as shortstop Raul Gonzalez is six-for-11 with two homers and five RBIs. With the Panthers launching six balls over the wall this weekend, it seems like their lineup is built for their home park, which is notoriously hitter friendly. Was it just a great weekend or is this a sign of things to come? Time will tell, but boy did these cats look good. 

#1. Toronto Maple Leafs (3-1, Previous Week: 3)

Nobody looked better this week than the Toronto Maple Leafs. Take away a disastrous 9th inning in Barrie and they were nearly perfect. The biggest story out of Toronto this week isn’t their offense – we knew they could hit – their starting pitching was better than advertised. Ryan Burnside and Sam Greene had excellent starts to close the weekend, giving up two earned runs combined over 11 innings. Combine that starting pitching with a lineup averaging nine runs per game, and this team is going to be very difficult to beat.

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Intercounty Basbeall League (ON)

News: IBL Power Rankings: Week 3

The weather heated up this weekend and so did the bats, as 144 runs were scored in 10 games across the league this week. In this week’s edition of the power rankings, we are going to highlight each team’s top offensive performer so far this season, as well as the biggest point of concern for…

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The weather heated up this weekend and so did the bats, as 144 runs were scored in 10 games across the league this week. In this week’s edition of the power rankings, we are going to highlight each team’s top offensive performer so far this season, as well as the biggest point of concern for each of the eight clubs in the IBL.

#8. Brantford Red Sox (0-5, Previous Week: 8)

The Red Sox had a chance to surprise people Friday night when they carried a 4-1 lead into the fifth against London, but that’s when things fell apart. Their pitching staff couldn’t keep them in it, and they have struggled all season – their 9.18 ERA is the worst in the league. Catcher Jeremie Veilleux has been their most significant offensive contributor, sporting a .333 batting average with a homer and three RBI.

#7. Barrie Baycats (2-3, Previous Week: 5)

Three frustrating losses for the Baycats were capped off by blowing a 4-0 lead late Sunday afternoon in Hamilton, spoiling another stellar start from Evan Soules. The defense has cost them and seems to be the biggest cause for concern early on, as they have allowed 15 unearned runs in their 5 games. Starlin Rodriguez has picked up right where he left off from his first stint in the IBL, putting up a .389 average with two homers and five RBI while only striking out twice in 18 at bats.

#6. Guelph Royals (1-4, Previous Week: 4)

The pitching staff was the biggest culprit for why Guelph went winless this week, as they allowed nine runs on Thursday and 13 runs in Kitchener on Sunday. Even in the middle game where they only allowed five men to score, the eventual winning run came in on a wild pitch in the eighth inning. The Royals currently sit 7th in the league with a 7.29 ERA, a number that will have to improve if they’re going to have a successful season. J.D. Williams has gotten off to an excellent start in 2023, hitting .500 with one home run and three RBI. He currently sits third among hitters in batting average.

#5. London Majors (3-3, Previous Week: 6)

A good bounce back week saw London take advantage of a softer schedule, defeating Brantford twice and picking up a road win in Barrie on Saturday. It was a solid offensive showing for the Majors, as they scored 31 runs over their three games, highlighted by catcher Eduardo de Oleo who hit a home run in each of this week’s affairs. The pitching staff was better, however their command is something to keep an eye on, as they have walked 34 batters over six games. Their walk total is second highest across the league.

#4. Welland Jackfish (3-2, Previous Week: 7)

The Jackfish had a week that was much more reminiscent of last year’s team, sweeping Guelph before beating the mighty Toronto Maple Leafs in their own yard. It didn’t come easy, as they survived a scare Thursday when they allowed the tying run to come to the plate in ninth after taking a 9-0 lead into the inning, followed by a pair of games where they didn’t deliver the decisive blow until the late stages. Sam Cawker continues to deliver much of the Welland offense, leading the team with three homers and eight RBIs. The Fish have been fortunate to have Cawker’s hot start, as the rest of the team has combined for 9 extra base hits total. Even when you include the catcher’s totals, their 12 XBH is currently third lowest in the league.

#3. Hamilton Cardinals (4-2, Previous Week: 3)

Hamilton bookended their week with wins against Barrie around a loss to the red-hot Kitchener Panthers. Sunday’s game saw the Cardinals overcome a 4-0 deficit with an offensive explosion, scoring 11 runs after the sixth inning. Clayton Keyes’ presence is already being felt despite him only having six games in the league, as he was intentionally walked twice (!!) on Sunday afternoon. He leads the team in nearly every offensive category, including hits (8), walks (6), batting average (.381), and extra base hits (5). The Cardinals have struggled to put the ball in play as a group, something they will need to improve if they are going to have success at the plate. They have struck out 70 times, second most behind Toronto.

#2. Toronto Maple Leafs (5-2, Previous Week: 1)

Offense continues to be the strength for Toronto, hitting .313 as a team and leading the league with 75 runs scored and 82 hits, however for the second time in as many weeks their relievers have let them down and cost them a game. Last week it was a ninth inning meltdown in Barrie, this time it was a slow death over the last two innings, allowing six runs on seven walks in the eighth and ninth. Their bullpen needs to be better late in games – the offense can only do so much. Johnathan Solazzo has been one of the hottest hitters in the IBL, leading the league with 15 RBI to go along with four home runs and a .348 batting average.

#1. Kitchener Panthers (4-1, Previous Week: 2)

It’s amazing what a couple of additions can do for a ballclub. The Panthers lineup has many familiar faces from 2022, although their two biggest contributors are fresh faces – Elliott Curtis and Raul Gonzalez. The duo has combined for nine home runs, 20 RBI, 21 hits, and are both in the top 10 in batting average, with Gonzalez leading at .591. To put into perspective how great they have been, those two have hit more home runs than any other team in the league. There’s not much to criticize about the job Bill Matetitch’s squad has done, but if there is one thing to nitpick it is that their pitching staff is relatively average across the board. When the offense is going like it is now, that won’t be a problem, but it is unrealistic to expect any team to average 11 runs a game. When the offense cools off, the pitching staff will need to be solid.

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Intercounty Basbeall League (ON)

News: De Oleo and Mendez Named B45 Baseball IBL Players of the Week

The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) announced its B45 Baseball Players of the Week for the week of May 22-28.London Majors catcher Eduardo De Oleo was named Batter of the Week, following a monstrous .538 (7-for-13) weekend which included three home runs and seven RBI — and led the Majors to a 3-0 weekend.De Oleo, who reached…

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The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) announced its B45 Baseball Players of the Week for the week of May 22-28.

London Majors catcher Eduardo De Oleo was named Batter of the Week, following a monstrous .538 (7-for-13) weekend which included three home runs and seven RBI — and led the Majors to a 3-0 weekend.

De Oleo, who reached AAA in affiliated baseball, is now hitting .500 on the season with four home runs and 10 RBI in six games with the Majors.

Welland Jackfish right-hander Deivy Mendez was named Pitcher of the Week, following two scoreless relief outings. Mendez threw three shutout innings over two appearances, striking out four batters in the process and earning the win in relief on Sunday at Toronto.

Mendez’s career IBL earned run average now sits at 0.86, and he has not allowed a run over 17 regular-season innings since entering the league.

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Intercounty Basbeall League (ON)

News: Saturday Highlights: Majors, Jackfish add to win column, Leafs continue humming

Photo by Matt HiscoxLondon 7, Barrie 3Down by one heading into the fourth inning, the Majors Starling Joseph hit a two-run home run and Daniel Battel’s double also scored two runs to get the Majors offence going.The Majors then added three more runs in the ninth via the long ball. Keith Kandel had a solo…

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Photo by Matt Hiscox

London 7, Barrie 3

  • Down by one heading into the fourth inning, the Majors Starling Joseph hit a two-run home run and Daniel Battel’s double also scored two runs to get the Majors offence going.
  • The Majors then added three more runs in the ninth via the long ball. Keith Kandel had a solo home run while Eduardo de Oleo added a two-run homer.
  • Adam Odd and Domenico Morea hit doubles in the sixth inning two knock in a run each.
  • Majors starter Edisson Gonzalez improved to 1-1 on the season. He struck out three and allowed three runs on five hits in seven innings of work.
  • Baycats starter Emilis Guerrero was credited with the loss. He struck out six and gave up four runs on seven hits.

Game Centre | Majors Recap | Baycats Recap

Welland 5, Guelph 4

  • After Sam Cawker walked to start the top of the ninth inning, a pair of bunts moved him to third, while his teammates loaded the bases. Royals pitcher Yuki Narita’s first offering to Steven Moretto went to the backstop, scoring Cawker, and giving the Jackfish a lead they wouldn’t give up.
  • Cawker, James Smibert and Matteo Porcellato all had two hits for the Jackfish.
  • Brando Leroux, Darius Barlas and Noah Roberts each had two hits for the Royals that scored three times in the second inning and once in the seventh.

Game Centre | Jackfish Recap | Royals Recap

Toronto 16, Brantford 5

Game Centre | Maple Leafs Recap | Red Sox Recap

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