Majors Fall to Jackfish in Season Finale, Claim No. 2 Seed
Written by: Evan Frederiksen / Photos By Mason Dawdy and Matt Hiscox
The London Majors entered Tuesday night with one final opportunity to close out the regular season on a high note. Resuming their rain-delayed matchup against the Welland Jackfish from Aug. 23, London returned to Labatt Memorial Park trailing 9-2 entering the fifth inning and facing an uphill battle in its final game of the regular season. Despite battling until the final out, the Majors ultimately fell to the Jackfish 11-3 Tuesday night, closing out the regular season with a 31-17 record and securing the No. 2 seed heading into the playoffs.
Beginning on Aug. 23, the Jackfish struck first when Ethan Mann hit a sacrifice fly to left field, giving Welland an early 1-0 lead. Abdiel Saldana got the start for the Jackfish and pitched solidly through four innings, giving up two earned runs on four hits while striking out five.
The Majors were able to respond right away, though, as Maikol Escotto hit a two-run missile to deep right field, giving London a 2-1 lead after the first inning. But for Escotto, his home run was more than just a go-ahead shot, it was London Majors history. He passed Robert Mullen and Cleveland Brownlee for the most home runs hit in a single season by a London Major.
Majors Single Season Home Run Record:
(Photo by Mason Dawdy)
Unfortunately, for London, that would be all the offence they would generate for some time, as the Jackfish responded with two four-run innings in the top of the second and fourth. Brendan Luther and Ethan Mann combined to drive in four runs in the top of the second, highlighted by Mann’s three-run home run. The big inning put the Jackfish ahead 5-2 after two innings.
Welland would then put together another big inning in the fourth as Brendan Luther, Jonah Weisner and Robert Mullen all contributed, extending the Jackfish lead to 9-2 after four innings.
Victor Payano, who got the start for London, would ultimately be done after four innings, giving up nine earned runs on 12 hits while striking out two.
The game would then be delayed by rain as heavy showers poured down on Labatt Memorial Park. It was eventually called and scheduled to resume on Sept. 1.
The ballgame resumed in the top of the fifth with Alex Springer taking the mound for London. Springer faced the minimum three batters before Daniel Orfaly and Kade Douglas were called upon to handle the rest of the ballgame. Only three runs were scored between the two teams through the final five innings.
(Photo By Matt Hiscox)
Brendan Luther added an RBI single to right field in the top of the seventh, extending the Jackfish lead to 10-2. London managed just one run over the remaining five innings, as a Tucker Zdunich RBI single in the bottom of the eighth was the only run the Majors could generate, making it a 10-3 game after eight innings.
Welland would then add another run in the ninth to cap off their 21-hit attack. Deivy Mendez was called upon out of the Welland bullpen for the bottom of the ninth and struck out the side, securing an 11-3 victory for the Jackfish.
With the loss, the Majors finish the regular season with a 31-17 record and clinched the No. 2 seed in the CBL, as postseason baseball now gets underway.
CBL Final Standings
Team X= Clinched Playoff Berth W-L GB STRK
The Majors will face the Welland Jackfish in the semifinal round, which is a best-of-seven series. Here is a look at the upcoming schedule for the series:
Majors Semi-Final Playoff Schedule: (Best-of-7-Series)
London will now turn its focus to making a deep playoff run, starting Friday, Sept. 4, as the Majors will host the Welland Jackfish in Game 1 of the semifinals at Labatt Memorial Park. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.