Padres lead 2-1 over Cubs

Aidan Pain hit a grand slam during Game 3 of the North Dufferin Baseball League junior division championship series on Aug. 18 and is congratulated by teammates at home plate. (David Anderson Photo)

August 19, 2022

This week the junior division championship series began between the Mansfield Cubs and Creemore Padres of the North Dufferin Baseball League.

After the first three games of the best of five affair, the Padres lead 2-1 over the Cubs, picking up a win in Game 1, 7-3 and Game 2, 3-0. Mansfield won Game 3, 11-6.

The first game on Tuesday had the Padres open with five runs in the second inning, thanks in part to a three-run homer from Anson Dupuis. The Padres plated two more in the fourth.

Mansfield scored three runs in the sixth frame in a last minute effort but was limited to only four hits under the strong pitching performance of Creemore’s Tait Lightheart.

Lightheart entered the game in the first inning after an arm injury to starter Nick Van Wyck. Lightheart struck out six Cubbies in his outing.

Mansfield used three pitchers with Aaron Dempsey starting, Cody Bryan relieving in the third frame and Braden Doiron entering in the sixth.

Wednesday's Game 2 in Mansfield featured a stellar pitching performance of Nic Guthrie for the Padres, leading his team to a win. He pitched all seven innings, gave up no runs on two hits, walked five batters, and struck out ten. Guthrie also chipped in with a hit.

Luke Dunmore toed the rubber for the Cubs and over his seven innings allowed three runs on seven hits, walked three, and struck out two.

Creemore scored all three runs in the third inning. With two runners on base, Gavin Mikaczo hit a double to score both runners. Mikaczo would score on a fielding error.

On Thursday, Mansfield scored early plating a single run in the first inning and another five in the second. The Cubs added five more in the third inning to take the lead in Game 3.

Creemore tried to come back from the deficit, scoring six runs in the fourth inning.

The game continued into the sixth inning where both teams scored runs but the game was eventually called on account of darkness and reverted back to the end of the fifth.

Mansfield's Adian Pain contributed in the game, hitting a grand slam in the third inning and taking to the mound. He pitched three and two-thirds, allowed six runs and five hits, walked two Padres and struck out one.

Doiron was called to the mound to close the game for Mansfield. He also scored three runs and had two hits during the game.

Bryce Cameron furnished three hits, scored twice and drove in three runs.

Liam Reynolds took the loss for Creemore, pitching two and two-thirds, giving up 11 runs on six hits, walking four and hitting one batter. Dresden Dupuis finished the game for the Padres.

Game 4 is scheduled for Monday in Creemore and if necessary Game 5 on Tuesday in Mansfield.