Majors handed first loss vs Welland

Written by Dan Haugh/Photo by Matt Hiscox

The only two remaining undefeated teams in the Intercounty Baseball League met Tuesday night at Labatt Park in a makeup game, and the Welland Jackfish came away victorious over the London Majors by a score of 6-2.

Both teams used three pitchers over the nine-inning game. Welland starter Teodoro Ortega pitched five strong innings to pick up his first win of the 2025 season. Ortega allowed two runs on four hits with three strikeouts. In relief of Ortega, James Bradwell threw three very strong innings, allowing only one baserunner. That was Kaiden Cardoso who drew a walk to lead off the sixth inning.

On the London side of things, Victor Payano started on the hill and took the loss, allowing all six Welland runs, but only two of those runs were earned. Payano struck out seven Jackfish hitters in his 6.1 innings. Colby Ring came on in relief of Payano in the seventh inning and held Welland scoreless over 1.2 innings. Jonathan Henry retired the Welland side in order at the top of the ninth inning.

London scored both of their runs in the third inning. Ken Sugi drew a one-out walk in that inning, followed by a single from leadoff hitter Toby Simmons, whose .542 batting average leads the IBL. Sugi then scored on a Francisco Fajardo double, and Simmons later scored on a Kaiden Cardosoi sacrifice fly. Eduardo De Oleo, Byron Reichstein, and Kyle Maves each had one single to round out the Majors' five-hit attack. London ́s record now sits at 5-1, good for second place in the IBL standings, a half game behind the first-place Welland Jackfish.

The Majors kick off another three-game weekend on Friday night at Labatt Memorial Park for a 7:35 P.M. first pitch against the Toronto Maple Leafs. That is followed by a Saturday 1 P.M. start in Guelph versus the Royals. The weekend finishes up on Sunday afternoon at Labatt Park when London welcomes the Chatham Barnstormers for a 1:05 first pitch.