TORONTO – Hot hitting has the Toronto Maple Leafs off to a strong start.

The Leafs scored nine runs over the first three innings and had a run in each of the first seven innings to cruise to a 14-4 win over the Guelph Royals Sunday afternoon at Christie Pits.

Mike Reeves and Justin Marra both homered in the win, and Damon Topolie drove in three runs as Toronto pounded Guelph pitching for 18 hits. The Royals were making their return to the IBL after folding early last season.

Reeves finished the day atop the Toronto lineup 3-for-6 with two RBI and three runs. Marra went 4-for-5, belting a pair of doubles to go with his longball. He also had an RBI and scored four times. Marcus Knecht doubled and had an RBI while scoring twice, and Julian Johnson connected for two hits, an RBI and a run. Dan Marra and Connor Lewis each had a pair of hits

For the second straight game the Leafs gave winning pitcher Zac Sloan (2-0) some early support, and the lefty made the most of them, going five innings and giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits, while striking out seven and walking four.

Guelph starter Daniel Marquez (0-1) was pulled in the second inning after giving up five runs on five hits while walking a pair and hitting a batter.

Offensively, Quinton Brent hit a solo run and scored twice, Josh Garton singled twice, and Sean Reilly drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.