Sox Pick Up First Win In Royal Fashion

The Brantford Red Sox (0-5) kicked off a busy week visiting the Guelph Royals (1-4). Brantford, with the season not off to the start they had hoped for, made a few roster changes prior to the game. Chris Kuzemka and Gus Wilson were newly signed, and Mark Dozier and Nick Jambrosic were released after being unable to appear with the team. 

Brantford came out swinging, scoring 3 runs in the top of the 1st. They had several opportunities to add to their lead but unfortunately could not, stranding the bases loaded in the 3rd and 5th innings. 

Starting pitcher Jeremias Sucre was solid, pitching 5 innings of shutout baseball. Guelph eventually got to the Brantford bullpen off reliever Cory Field in the 7th, scoring 2. Hayden Stam managed to pitch the Sox out of further trouble in the inning, getting 3 straight outs to shut down the Royals rally. Brantford held a slim 3-2 lead after 7 innings. 

After reliever Danny Howat stopped another Royals threat in the 8th, Brantford got some insurance in the 9th with Nick Burdett bringing home Matt Fabian, in his first game with the Sox. Howat pitched a scoreless 9th and Brantford hung on for the 4-2 win, their first of the season.

For Brantford Chris Kuzemka led the way at the plate going 3 for 5 with 1 run scored and 2 RBI. Kieran Bowles went 2 for 3. Starting pitcher Jeremias Sucre gets the win, and Danny Howat picks up the save.

Brantford looks to extend its winning ways with a Thursday trip to Welland, game time is 7:25 pm. 

Box Score | YouTube replay

The Brantford Red Sox were founded in 1911 and have won 15 Intercounty Baseball League titles. Season passes are now available at Brant Sports Excellence, 415 Fairview Drive in Brantford. Digital single game tickets, flex packs, and season passes are also available online at brantfordredsox.com/tickets. 

Read about the Red Sox in the Brant Beacon, the official media partner of the Brantford Red Sox, and follow @IBLRedSox on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.