Jackfish Bats Explode Late as Maple Leafs Blow Lead in Welland

WELLAND -- One that got away.

The streaking Welland Jackfish erased a 7-0 Toronto Maple Leafs lead on Saturday afternoon to come back and defeat Toronto 10-9 to remain undefeated (4-0) on the season.

The Leafs fall to 2-3.

Welland starter Wyatt Hummel took a no-decision, allowing one earned run on one hit and seven walks in two and two-thirds of an inning.

Jackfish reliever Brandon Underhill picked up the win in relief.

Underhill allowed four earned runs on four hits and two walks in four and a-third inning in relief.

Welland third basemen Ethan Hunt led the way at the plate for the home side, going three-for-four.

Toronto starter Sebastian Kahn took the loss despite pitching well through the first five innings.

The Indian Hills commit allowed nine runs (four earned) in seven innings, allowing nine hits and seven walks while striking out two batters.

TORONTO - 9-9-2

WELLAND - 10-10-0

BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME: Down a run in the bottom of the seventh inning, Jackfish centre fielder Gio Morello hit a two-run double down the third baseline to give the Jackfish a 8-7 lead.

BY THE NUMBERS...

1. Leafs catcher Brady Cerkownyk hit his first-career IBL home run on Saturday, coming on a two-run bomb in the top of the fourth inning.

2. The Leafs only had two errors on Saturday in what was a much-improved defensive performance from Thursday's win over the Panthers, but the Jackfish took full advantage of those errors, scoring a combined six unearned runs on the day.

6. Six Leafs got hit by pitches in Saturday's contest, marking a season-high in that category, to say the least.

9. The Leafs had as many walks (nine) as they had hits in the game. A rarity, more so with Jordan Castaldo, the IBL's walks leader from last season, absent from the game.

14. Nine runs should be more than enough to win a ball game, but 14 base runners being left on base by the Leafs was one too many on this day, with Garrett Takmastsu (the tying run) being stranded at third base with two out in the ninth inning.

130. With the Leafs short on arms, Kahn did everything Maple Leafs manager Damon Topolie could have asked from him, throwing 130 pitches through seven innings. 

LOOKING AHEAD...

The Leafs return home on Sunday to complete this weekend's home-and-home with the Jackfish.

Photo: Craig Aikin 

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