Cardinals, Majors win CBL semifinal openers

The London Majors defeated the Welland Jackfish 6-5 in their semifinal opener at Labatt Park on Friday night. Photo: Mason Dawdy

September 4, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball League News Release

Cardinals down Baycats

HAMILTON, ONT. – After ending the regular season with six straight wins, Hamilton opened its Canadian Baseball League semifinal with a 7-5 win over Barrie on Friday night at Bernie Arbour Stadium.

Jaden Brown drove in three for the first-place Cardinals, who head to Barrie for Game 2 on Saturday.

Tyler Duncan went 3-for-3 with an RBI triple, Dario Borrero and Reyny Reyes each drove in a run, and Brandon Nicoll singled, doubled and scored.

Hector Yan struck out six over four innings for the win on the mound. He allowed two runs on four hits and walked four. Freisis Adames struck out two of the three batters he faced for the save.

Juan Benitez took the loss for Barrie after giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits in 4 2/3 frames. He walked four and struck out two.

Adam Odd hit a two-run home run for the Baycats in the eighth inning. Ryan Rijo went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, and Francisco Hernandez scored twice and stole three bases.

HAMILTON vs. (5) BARRIE

Hamilton leads best-of-seven series 1-0

Game 1: Hamilton 7, Barrie 5

Game 2: Saturday, Sept. 5 at Barrie, 4:08 p.m.

Game 3: Sunday, Sept. 6 at Hamilton, 4:05 p.m.

Game 4: Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Barrie, 7:38 p.m.

*Game 5: Friday, Sept. 11 at Hamilton, 7:35 p.m.

*Game 6: Saturday, Sept. 12 at Barrie, 4:08 p.m.

*Game 7: Sunday, Sept. 13 at Hamilton, 4:05 p.m.

*If necessary

Majors earn walk-off win over Jackfish

LONDON, ONT. – Jarrett Burney’s RBI single in the top of the 11th scored Ryder Hancock from second base to give London a 6-5 walk-off win over Welland in Game 1 of the CBL semifinal on Friday night at Labatt Park.

Maikol Escotto drove in two for the Majors, who stumbled into the playoffs with four straight losses but left the losing streak in the regular season. Jordan Lewis and Trent Lenihan both drove in a run, while Tucker Zdunich and Starling Joseph had two hits apiece.

Luis Perez struck out one in a scoreless inning to get the win in relief. Victor Payano started on the mound and yielded four runs on seven hits with a walk and three punchouts.

For Welland, Robert Mullen went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Ethan Mann also drove in two on a pair of hits, Daiki Abe singled twice and had an RBI, and Gianfranco Morello went 2-for-4 with a run.

Ben Abram took the loss after allowing a run on two hits with a walk and four strikeouts in five innings of relief. He took over for Abdiel Saldana, who gave up five unearned runs on eight hits in five frames. He fanned four and walked two.

Game 2 is Saturday in Welland.

(2) LONDON vs. (3) WELLAND

London leads best-of-seven seriesd 1-0

Game 1: London 6, Welland 5 (11 innings)

Game 2: Saturday, Sept. 5 at Welland, 7:05 p.m.

Game 3: Sunday, Sept. 6 at London, 6:05 p.m.

Game 4: Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Welland, 7:05 p.m.

Game 5: Friday, Sept. 11 at London, 7:05 p.m.

Game 6: Saturday, Sept. 12 at Welland, 7:05 p.m.

Game 7: Sunday, Sept. 13 at London, 6:05 p.m.

*If necessary