July 18, 2024

Official Intercounty Baseball League News Release

As the Intercounty Baseball League gears up for both the IBL Home Run Derby and the All-Star Showdown this weekend in Welland, it is time to announce the HRD Players of the Week for the week of July 9 to July 15.

Seth Strong of the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers batted .429 last week (6-for-14) with three home runs, six runs scored, and six RBIs to take home this week's honours for the second time this season. The Ohio native is the top seed in the IBL HR Derby on Saturday at 2 pm. Strong is currently third in batting average (.369) among qualified hitters, first in HRs (13), and leads the league in runs batted (33).

Honourable mention to his teammate Mitsuki Fukuda who batted .400 on the week and had four runs, two doubles, and three RBIs. Kitchener Panthers infielder Spenser Ross had another great week for the surging Panthers. Ross batted .462 (6-for-13) with two runs scored and walked twice.

Brandon Underhill pitched 7 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball in Welland's 3-0 shutout of the Guelph Royals Thursday night to take home the pitcher of the week nod. The St Catharines, Ont., native allowed just two hits, and a walk, finishing the night with three strikeouts. Honourable mention to his Jackfish teammate Ben Abram who also blanked the Royals earlier in the week over 7 1/3 innings. Frank Garces, of the Barrie Baycats, also turned in a stellar performance working seven complete innings, allowing six hits, while striking out six, in their victory over Kitchener Thursday night.