With the Jackfish, it ain’t over till it’s over

Welland scores game-winner in final at-bat for the fourth time this season

In the Intercounty Baseball League standings, they’re officially the Welland Jackfish, one of eight teams in Canada’s oldest independent baseball league.

On Thursday night in Barrie, and for the fourth time this season, they were again the concessionaire’s best friend, keeping hot dog and popcorn sales going until the late going by scoring the game-winning run in their final at-bat.

With the game 4-4, the Jackfish plated five runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat the host Baycats, 9-4, for their seventh win in a row.

James Smibert, last week’s IBL batter of the week, celebrated his 27th birthday and began building a case to hold on to the honour for another week with a three-run single to give the Jackfish their first lead of the game. Hogan Brown then doubled to drive in two runs to round out the scoring.

Barrie, which jumped out to a 3-0 lead, was up 4-3 when Welland’s Sam Moretto tied the score with his second home run of the season in the eighth inning.

“We’ve certainly had some exciting games so far this year,” manager Brian Essery said in an understatement as his team improved to a league-leading 7-2.

Welland outhit the hosts 12-9 and made one error compared to three for Barrie.

Besides Brown and Smibert, who went 3-for-5 at the plate, Giancarlo Morello also enjoyed a multiple-hit night for the Jackfish, going 2-for-4.

Barrie pitchers limited Brandon Nicholson to one hit in four plate appearances, but his first home run of the season drove in a pair of runs.

Brandon Underhill of Niagara Falls allowed one hit and struck out five over three scoreless innings of relief to earn his first win of the season.

Starter Scott Gillespie, who allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks in five innings and Deivy Mendez, who held the Baycats at bay in the ninth, also saw action on the mound for the Jackfish.

Welland scored the game-winner in the top of the ninth in a 5-4 road win over the Guelph Royals and two in an 11-9 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, also on the road, as well. The Jackfish plated the winning run in the bottom of the eighth in a 12-11 win over the twotime defending playoff champion London Majors.

Essery isn’t surprised by the team’s ability to stay in the game until the final out. “Our lineup is so deep — one through nine — that eventually we’re going to get to you. There are no breaks in the lineup, and we put so much pressure on the pitcher and defence with our speed and aggressiveness that mistakes are going to be made,” he said. “And, fortunately, they have.” Smibert has been the league’s most consistent hitter so far this season. He led the league with a .487 batting average and was tied for second to Toronto’s Johnathan Solazzo in runs batted in, with 15, heading into Friday night’s action.

“He’s delivered every night, and it shows as he is currently leading the league in batting average,” Essery said.

The Jackfish are impressed with the Mississauga native’s work ethic and approach to the game.

“He works so hard, all year round,” Essery said. “He’s in tremendous shape, a true professional at his craft.”

Back-to-back weekend games are on deck for the Jackfish. They host Toronto in a 6:05 p.m. first pitch Saturday at Welland Stadium and are at the Hamilton Cardinals at 2:05 the following afternoon.