Jackfish infielder named all-star game MVP

NEWS RELEASE
INTERCOUNTY BASEBALL LEAGUE
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South takes IBL all-star game

WELLAND – Welland’s Matteo Porcellato reached base three times and was named all-star game MVP as Team South defeated Team North 13-6 at Welland Stadium on Saturday night.

Porcellato singled twice, accounting for two of his team’s 12 hits, and also walked and scored twice in the win.

Brantford’s Gus Wilson rounded the bases on an inside-the-park home run, and South teammate and Jackfish catcher Robert Mullen added a two-run blast in the third inning to break a 2-2 tie. Chatham-Kent’s Seth Strong went 2-for-3 and scored, and London’s Starling Joseph doubled and scored.

The South squad pulled ahead with a nine-run sixth inning as 14 batters went to the plate.

Brantford righty Josh Laukkanen earned the win after pitching two innings. He allowed a run on four hits and struck out one.

For the North team, Barrie’s Canice Ejoh went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in the first inning. Toronto’s Jordan Castaldo singled twice, walked and scored,

Barrie’s Nolan Machibroda hit a solo blast, and Guelph’s J.D. Williams singled and added a sacrifice fly.

Hamilton’s Mizuki Akatsuka took the loss after yielding two runs on a hit and a walk.

Cardinals’ Duncan wins home run derby

WELLAND – Tyler Duncan is nine longballs back of the IBL leader this season, but the Hamilton Cardinals’ shortstop is the 2024 home run derby champion.

Duncan defeated Guelph’s Josh Garton 10-8 at Welland Stadium on Saturday before the league’s all-star game.

Duncan, who has four home runs in 105 at bats, hit 10 in the derby’s first round to eliminate Welland’s Robert Mullen, who has six home runs at the break. Duncan then took down Jake Sanford after the Jackfish outfielder, with one home run this season, upset Chatham-Kent’s Seth Strong, whose 14 home runs leads the IBL.

Garton, who has seven home runs this season, advanced to the derby final by beating the London duo of Kaiden Cardoso and Starling Joseph, who eliminated Toronto’s Johnathan Solazzo – second in the league with nine home runs – in the first round.

Future Games
Sunday, July 21
Kitchener at London, 1:05 p.m.
Chatham-Kent at Toronto, 2 p.m.
Guelph at Hamilton, 2:05 p.m.
Welland at Barrie, 3:05 p.m.

Monday, July 22
Guelph at Hamilton, 7:35 p.m.
Chatham-Kent at Brantford, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, July 23
Hamilton at Barrie, 7:35 p.m.

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