May 7, 2024

By Trevor Fitzpatrick

Canadian Baseball Network

WELLAND, ONT. – As they so often say in fighting promotions when champions clash, “some paths are meant to cross.”

This time, it was two of Canada’s top baseball teams on Monday when the Quebec Capitales of the Frontier League beat the Welland Jackfish of the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) 8-4.

The Jackfish appeared to be in midseason form right from the start as Matteo Porcellato (Pitt Meadows, BC.) punched in a run with a single off Harley Gollert (Toronto, Ont.) to take the lead in the bottom of the first.

Then with runners on first and second, catcher Cole Cote (Welland, Ont.) ripped a bases clearing double into the right-centre gap to score two more to punctuate an excellent first-inning back to the diamond for the team.

Perhaps it was their early morning (4:45 am on the bus), but it took until the top of the fifth for the Capitales to respond.

Justin Gideon (Pickering, Ont.) sent a two-out RBI knock into right field off Chris Boatto (Maple, Ont.), then during the very next at-bat, Juremi Profar poked in another run with a single up the middle.

The small ball onslaught continued as Kyle Crowl scored another run on a single to tie the game at three before Boatto got out of the jam with a strikeout.

As the top of the sixth started, Caleb Feuerstake (Waterdown, Ont.) stepped on to the mound for Welland. It was his first time on the mound, he spent last season roaming the outfield.

Unfortunately for him, a lack of control walked in a couple of runners, forcing a call to the bullpen. Jake Harford entered and walked the bases loaded before narrowly escaping the inning with a strikeout and a broken bat pop out to keep the close contest tied.

However, the Jackfish’s narrow escapes came to an end in the seventh. With two on, Tommy Seidl blasted a home run to left off Harford to double the Capitales’ lead. Delano Selassa added on another with a sacrifice fly before Harford could finish the inning.

Trying to answer right back, the Jackfish pounced on relief pitcher Thibault Marcadier, loading the bases with multiple singles. They managed to cash in one run when Steven Moretto (Coquitlam, BC.) grounded a fielder's choice to short to make it 7-4.

The offensive explosion from both teams culminated in the highlight of the night in the top of the eighth.

Francisco Hernandez in his second at-bat after pinch-hitting earlier smashed a ball awkwardly off the centre field wall and he ran the full distance around the bases to score an inside-the-park home run.

That would be it for the game, as Quebec’s closer Frank Moscatiello slammed the door on the 8-4 lead.

Welland starter Ben Abram (Georgetown, Ont.) was one of the best pitchers of the night with his two solid innings of work. His day ended with two strikeouts as he allowed no runs on one hit.

As for Quebec’s starter Gollert, he had a nice turnaround after the tough three-run first inning, not allowing another run and striking out three.

The Jackfish welcomed back a couple of former teammates who have moved up to professional ball with the Capitales: RHP James Bradwell (Gibsons, BC.) and the aforementioned Gideon. The former pitched great, allowing no runs through three innings of work.

“It’s a testament to how hard these guys work, but also the league that these guys are able to excel at the next level,” said Jackfish general manager Jason McKay, “I wish they were in a different jersey, but it’s great to have them back.”

Looking back to last season, it was one to remember for the Jackfish as they took home their first Dominico Cup since they joined the IBL in 2019. After a 31-11 regular season, their playoff journey saw them defeat the Brantford Red Sox, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Barrie Baycats.

As for the Capitales, their 2023 season saw them replicate the success they found during their championship 2022 year.

They ended the season with a league leading 60-35 record and defeated the New Jersey Jackals in the divisional round, then followed that with a championship win over the Evansville Otters in five games.

Both teams’ regular season schedules begin soon. The Capitales get going on Thursday against the Florence Y’alls, while the Jackfish start the following week, on Friday, May 17 against the London Majors.