Royals Begin Season With Blowout Win Over Cardinals
HAMILTON - Starting off with a bang.
The Guelph Royals beat the Hamilton Cardinals 10-5 on Friday evening to begin their 2023 IBL season with a convincing victory.
With the loss, the Cardinals drop to 1-1.
Guelph starter Kyle Thomas took a no-decision after allowing two earned runs on two hits and two walks in three innings of work.
The hard-throwing right-hander struck out two Cardinals batters.
Royals reliever Jared Kennedy picked up the win in his IBL debut, striking out an impressive five Hamilton batters over the course of two shutout innings.
Guelph centre fielder J.D Williams led the Royals hit parade from the top of the lineup, going four-for-four with a pair of walks.
Not to be outdone was first basemen Ethan Hammond, who went two-for-three with a couple of walks himself.
Hamilton starter Nick Davies took the loss, allowing four earned runs on three hits and five walks in just one and two-thirds innings pitched.
GUELPH - 10-10-0
HAMILTON - 5-3-0
BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME: Up 3-2 in the top of the second inning, Royals right fielder Tristan Pompey hit a two-out double to deep centre field to double the Royals lead. From there, they never looked back on the evening.
BY THE NUMBERS...
6. Newcomer Yuki Narita struck out the side in his only inning of work in the sixth inning, one inning after Kennedy struck out three batters in the fifth inning. That gave Guelph six straight strikeouts at one point in the game.
8. Between Thomas, Kennedy, Narita, relievers Sandy Baez and Dario Alvarez, Pompey, pinch hitter Mike Cecchetto, and catcher Evan Ashe, six players made their Royals debut on Friday. Alvarez, unfortunately, threw just one pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning before leaving the game with an injury.
14. The Royals drew a staggering 14 walks in their season opener.
LOOKING AHEAD...
The Royals turn their attention towards their home opener, which takes place Saturday afternoon against their rivals from Kitchener.
The first pitch from Hastings Stadium is scheduled for 2 pm.