Late heroics power Ottawa Titans to Game 1 win

Jackie Urbaez had a two-run double to help the Ottawa Titans to 4-2 win over the New Jersey Jackals in Game 1 of their playoff series on Thursday. Photo: Ottawa Titans

September 10, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Ottawa, Ont. - Down multiple runs halfway through the contest, the Ottawa Titans scored four unanswered late to take down the New Jersey Jackals by a 4-2 final on Thursday night, taking Game 1 of the best-of-three Atlantic Conference Wild Card Series.

Facing rookie left-hander Jorhan LaBoy, the Titans picked up leadoff singles in the first and second, followed by one-out walks in each frame, threatening to push across the opening run. LaBoy managed to keep the Titans' offence off the board, firing four scoreless innings to start the night.

Evan Grills (Whitby, Ont.) battled in his first career Frontier League Playoff start, allowing two runs over 4 2/3 innings.

The Jackals got on the board in the third inning on a Martin Figueroa solo homer and added one on a Noah Furcht sac fly in the fourth to go ahead 2-0.

Grills allowed two runs on four hits, walking four and striking out four, leaving in line for the defeat.

As LaBoy retired 10 in a row from the second through the fifth - Jackie Urbaez ripped a two-out double down the right-field line, setting up an RBI single from AJ Wright to cut the deficit in half.

In the seventh, the Titans put runners on the corners with one out, as the Jackals turned to the bullpen. AJ Wright legged out a fielder's choice, scoring a Myles Smith leadoff walk to tie the score at two.

Over six innings, LaBoy was charged with two runs on five hits, walking three, and striking out eight in his first career postseason start.

Tied at two heading to the bottom of the eighth, Chase Hungate had things unravel, as Taylor Wright (North Vancouver, B.C.) kicked off the frame with a double to right. As Jake Steels reached on a bunt single, Hunter Stokely's infield single scored the eventual winning run to put the Titans ahead. Later in the inning, Smith beat out a double-play ball, making it 4-2 on a fielder's choice.

The Titans' bullpen shined in Game 1 - Christian Scafidi allowed a hit but managed to get the home side out of the fifth inning. Alfredo Villa tossed two scoreless innings, while Ted Stuka and Brett Garcia combined for 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

From innings six through nine, the bullpen did not allow a hit.

Taking Game 1, the Titans are the first team in these Frontier League Playoffs to win a home game.

Jackie Urbaez went 3-for-4 with a double, while Hunter Stokely also had a three-hit night, adding an RBI. Myles Smith walked twice and brought home a run, while AJ Wright drove in a pair.

The Titans continue the 2026 Playoffs, playing Game 2 of the Atlantic Conference best-of-three Wild Card against the Jackals on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey.