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IBL playoffs: Jackfish defeat Leafs to advance to final

The Welland Jackfish advanced to the Intercounty Baseball League final with a 7-5 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night. Photo: Welland Jackfish/Twitter

September 7, 2023

Official Intercounty Baseball League News Release

WELLAND – It will be Welland and Barrie in the IBL final.

Two days after the Baycats punched their ticket to the championship, the top-seeded Jackfish joined them after beating Toronto 7-5 Thursday night in Game 5 of the other semifinal.

Steven Moretto and Ethan Hunt each drove in two for Welland, which scored six straight runs after falling behind 5-1 in the second inning. James Smibert added an RBI, while leadoff batter Hogan Brown went 2-for-4 with a run.

James Bradwell stepped up in relief for the Jackfish, throwing 5 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win. He walked two and struck out seven.

Welland starter Jake Harford allowed five runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out two.

Deivy Mendez struck out three of the six batters he faced to pick up the save.

Jose Vinicio had a pair of RBIs for the fourth-place Leafs. Jordan Castaldo, Dan Marra and Connor Lewis drove in the other runs.

Toronto starting pitcher Daniel Procopio was charged with five earned runs in 4 2/3 innings for the loss. He scattered four hits, walked six and fanned five.