BRIAN BACKLAND PHOTOGRAPHY 

By Ryan Eakin

MIDHURST, ON - Win streak now at nine.

The Barrie Baycats defeated the Hamilton Cardinals 9-5 on Saturday evening to improve to 23-8 on the regular season.

With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 12-17.

Baycats starter Matthew St. Kitts recorded the victory, tossing eight innings while giving up two earned runs on ten hits and one base on balls, while striking out six batters along the way.

Baycats designated hitter Glenn Jackson led the way at the plate, going two-for-three with one base on balls.

Cardinals starter Josh Freeman took the loss, tossing five innings while giving up six earned runs on ten hits and four base on balls, while striking out zero batters along the way.

HAMILTON - 5-10-1

BARRIE - 9-14-4

BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME: Down 5-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Jackson hit a two-run single to score shortstop Carson Burns and centre fielder Branfy Infante to make it a 5-4 game.

From there the Baycats would go on to score four more runs in the inning.

NICEST PLAY OF THE GAME: With runners on the corners and Cardinals right fielder Michael Ssemanda at the plate in the top of the second inning, Baycats third basemen Jordan Castaldo made a throwing error that allowed Cardinals third basemen Jacob Martins to score from third base.

On the same play, Ssemanda tried to reach second, but was thrown out by Baycats right fielder Ryan Spataro, who made a perfect throw to Burns for the second out of the inning.

POST-GAME QUOTES: "He was efficient," said Baycats catcher Kyle DeGrace of St. Kitts. "He threw under 100 pitches and pitched eight innings. 

"He has been good his last few outings. He had a little injury there earlier in the year but it's good to see him bounce back and get himself in shape for the playoffs."

"He's been huge for us," said DeGrace of Atkinson, who went one-for-two with three base on balls tonight. "Especially with his work grind. He has a territory from Scarborough to Kingston, so he spends a lot of time on the road and in Kingston. 

"It is a true mans working league and he's proven that with his performance this year."

"This might be the best lineup we have ever had since I got here," said DeGrace. "We added two pro guys (Shortstop Starlin Rodriguez and outfielder Tim Smith) who have both had really good Double-A careers. 

"Starlin has locked down our middle infield, and Tim is always giving us a professional at bat in the middle of the order. They have both lengthened down our lineup."

The Baycats return to action tomorrow afternoon against the London Majors from Labatt Park in London.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm.