Sox Start Strong But Can't Prevent Season Ending Loss

LONDON - The Brantford Red Sox headed back to Labatt Park on Sunday for Game 3 of their Quarterfinals series vs. the London Majors. Down 2-0 in the best of 5 series, the Red Sox needed a win to extend their 2022 IBL season. To say Brantford started out slow in this series is an understatement, but they did score 7 unanswered runs in their last 4 innings. They needed those bats to continue right where they left off the previous night if they were to continue playing baseball this year.

And somewhat surprisingly, the Brantford Red Sox did just that to start off Game 3. Jesse Fishbaum led off with a free pass via hit by pitch, followed by a Jon Dziomba single. Both runners would steal a base to advance into scoring position at 2nd and 3rd, but unfortunately they were left stranded. But the Red Sox would continue to press in the 2nd inning, with a  Fishbaum single bringing home Tyler Wilson. Brantford would strand another pair of baserunners, but did take a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the 2nd (their first lead of the series).

After London tied things up 1-1 in the bottom of the 2nd, Brantford got back to work in the 3rd. After a trio of singles by Evan Ryan, Roger Keen, and Jordan Young loaded the bases, the Red Sox were gifted 2 runs via a pair of wild pitches. Nolan Gallagher then singled in Tyler Wilson, and the Majors were forced to go to their bullpen. London ended the threat there, but not before Brantford took a 4-1 lead.

The defending champs roared back in the bottom of the 3rd inning, sending 8 batters to the plate and scoring 3 to tie things up 4-4.. The clock would then strike midnight on Brantford's potential Cinderella story in the 4th inning. London hit a pair of back to back homers en route to 6 runs and a 10-4 lead. The remainder of the game went the same way that most of Brantford's season did. In somewhat fitting fashion, Brantford suffers their biggest loss of the year in their last game of the season. Final score London Majors 23 Brantford Red Sox 4. London wins the best of 5 series 3 games to 0. 

FOR BRANTFORD - Tyler Wilson led the Red Sox with 3 hits. Jon Dziomba added a pair of hits and a stolen base. And kudos to Aiden Colangelo, who took one for the team out of the bullpen for the second night in a row, cleaning up the last 3 innings with no other pitchers available tonight. 

NEXT UP - The Brantford Red Sox finally close the book on what was a forgettable 2022 season. There will be much analysis, regrouping, and retooling in the months to come. Best of luck to the London Majors and the remaining teams competing in the IBL postseason.  Stay tuned to brantfordredsox.com and the team's social media channels for offseason news and updates, and thank you for following along this season. 

LINKS

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Brantford Red Sox eliminated from IBL playoffs - Brant Beacon

QUARTERFINALS results

• Game 1 - Brantford Red Sox 0 London Majors 8
• Game 2 - Brantford Red Sox 7 London Majors 15
• Game 3 - Brantford Red Sox 4 London Majors 23

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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