Red Sox Drop Game 1 of Quarterfinals

LONDON - It took the London Majors almost an extra week to clinch their 2nd consecutive pennant. First, the last game of London's regular season was delayed until Tuesday in Toronto due to 2 straight rainouts. Then, the Majors' one game sudden death game to determine 1st place in the IBL was delayed until Thursday due to their ballpark not being available.

The Brantford Red Sox, meanwhile, were well rested going into their Quarterfinals matchup with London. The Red Sox actually had a rainout for their final scheduled game in Barrie which was not made up, mercifully ending Brantford's regular season before the Red Sox could suffer a potential 40th loss.

So to say the Brantford Red Sox are an underdog going into their series with the 1st place London Majors is the understatement of all understatements. But the Red Sox have played the spoiler as recently as last season, where as the 7th seed they swept the 2nd place Kitchener Panthers in the Quarterfinals. The win advanced Brantford to the Semifinals for the first time since 2017, where they were defeated by the London Majors 2 games to 1. London would go on to win the 2021 IBL Championship, their first in 46 years. Could the Red Sox find their momentum in the playoffs once again and shake up the 2022 IBL Postseason?

Spoiler alert - not on this night. After Brantford went 3 up 3 down in the 1st inning, London led off with a triple on the first pitch they saw. The runner ended up scoring, but the Red Sox managed to hold the Majors to the single. London led 1-0 after 1 inning. 

After a scoreless 2nd inning, the Majors sent 8 batters to the plate and struck for 4 runs in the 3rd inning. A 5-0 lead would be more than enough for the defending champs on this night. Brantford's batters managed to muster up just a trio of hits and one walk all game.  Game 1 final score was London Majors 8 Brantford Red Sox 0. 

FOR BRANTFORD - Red Sox batters continue to look totally lost at the plate, swinging at bad pitches and looking at good ones. Brantford struck out 13 times while just walking once. The Red Sox's roster woes also spilled into the postseason, missing regular starters Jon Dziomba, Colton Fountain, Jamiel Orozco, and Liam Sutherland for Game 1.

NEXT UP - The Brantford Red Sox now return home for game 2 of the series. Game 2 is Saturday August 27 at 8 pm at Arnold Anderson Stadium. Tickets for Game 2 in Brantford will be available at the gate, or in advance at brantfordredsox.com/tickets. All fans in attendance will have a chance to win one of 100 t-shirts courtesy of the Brantford Red Sox and Brantford Apparel. The series will then head back to London for game 3 on Sunday evening. Brantford will also host game 4 in the best of 5 series (if necessary) on Tuesday. 

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QUARTERFINALS SCHEDULE

• Game 2 - London Majors at Brantford Red Sox, Saturday August 27 8 pm Arnold Anderson Stadium
• Game 3 - Brantford Red Sox at London Majors, Sunday August 28 6:05 pm Labatt Park
• Game 4 - London Majors at Brantford Red Sox, Tuesday August 30 8 pm Arnold Anderson Stadium (if necessary)
• Game 5 - Brantford Red Sox at London Majors, Wednesday August 31 7:35 pm Labatt Park (if necessary)

Established in 1911, the Brantford Red Sox have been an institution in the Southwestern Ontario community for over a century. The Brantford Red Sox are the most historically decorated active team in the Intercounty Baseball League, appearing in 27 finals and winning 15 IBL championships. 

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