Payano pitches gem in home opener

Written by Dan Haugh/Photo by Matt Hiscox

The London Majors improved their record in this, the 107th season of the Intercounty Baseball League, to 2-0 with a 7-0 shutout of the Guelph Royals at Labatt Memorial Park to kick off Victoria Day weekend.

The story of the game was a combination of a great seven-inning pitching performance by starting pitcher Victor Payano and some impressive offence provided by the top of the Majors' batting order. Payano struck out nine Guelph batters and allowed just four hits in his seven shutout innings to record the win. Jonathan Henry and Skylar Janisse each pitched a scoreless inning to preserve the shutout.

The London offence was sparked by a couple of newcomers to the roster, Toby Simmons batting in the leadoff spot and Francisco Fajardo batting in the two-hole, each had three hits and a stolen base each. After two games, Simmons is atop the IBL leaderboard for Batting Average with a lofty .750 average.

Ty Mosher and Kyle Maves each had two singles. Number three hitter Kaiden Cardoso had a triple and one RBI, giving him three RBI on the young season. Designated hitter Brad Verhoeven rounded out London ́ś 12-hit attack with a single in the three-run eighth inning.

The London Majors will be back in action on Sunday afternoon when they travel to Christie Pits to face the Toronto Maple Leafs. Next home action will be Friday, May 23rd at Labatt Memorial Park with the Welland Jackfish providing the opposition.