Zdunich & Payano strong in Majors 10-2 Victory

Written by Dan Haugh / Photo by Matt Hiscox 

The London Majors extended their winning streak to three games with a 10-2 win over the Guelph Royals at Hastings Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Majors' starting pitcher Victor Payano got all the run support he needed early in the game as London jumped out to a 4-0 lead after three innings. Payano went six strong scoreless innings, allowing only six hits and no walks with six strikeouts. Kade Douglas, Caleb Cassie, and Alex Springer followed in relief of Payano. 

The Majors jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Cristian Iona drove home Trent Linehan with a single to left field. London added two more runs in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs, Jaden Babiuk singled home David Draayers, and Maikol Escotto brought home Trent Linehan as he dropped a single into left field, bringing the score to 3-0 for London after two innings. Tucker Zdunich hammered the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the third inning over the scoreboard in right field to make the score 4-0.  

London scored their 10 runs on a total of 11 hits and one Guelph error. Tucker Zdunich was two-for-four at the plate with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored. Maikol Escotto and Cristian Inoa had two hits and one RBI each. Trent Linehan, Starling Joseph, David Draayers, Jarrett Burney, and Jaden Babiuk had one hit each. 

The Majors will complete their three-game weekend tomorrow afternoon at Christie Pits in Toronto versus the last-place Toronto Maple Leafs.