Majors split vs. Barrie; FC Men atop division; Gosling goes 1st round

Gameday in 5: A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (June 3-9) — for London’s teams and athletes.

(Photo: Martin Bazyl / League1 Ontario).

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London Majors

The Majors were victims of the weather for the second straight week, as their Thursday night contest was postponed due to a downpour of rain in the third inning in Kitchener. As a result, they played just twice — both against the Barrie Baycats. And the teams split the pair, with the visiting side coming out on top both times. 

Hosting the Baycats Friday night, the Majors fell 4-0 thanks to a strong pitching performance from Barrie’s Frank Garces. The left-hander scattered five hits over seven innings, walking none and striking out four. A pair of relievers also kept London off the board, dealing them their first shutout loss of the season.

Jose Arias got the start for the Majors. He went six innings and allowed three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out six. The sixth inning proved to be Arias’ downfall, as the right-hander issued all three of his walks in the inning before giving up a two-out, bases-clearing double. Barrie tacked on their fourth run in the 8th inning, and London wasn’t able to get anything going on offense. Eduardo de Oleo did manage a pair of hits in a losing effort.

Looking to bounce back on Sunday in Barrie, the Majors pulled off a bigtime comeback to beat the Baycats 14-9 on the road. With the home side ahead 9-5 following a 4-run bottom of the seventh inning, the Majors responded in the 8th with a trio of runs. Byron Reichstein got things going with a solo homer. A two-out error and a Kaiden Cardoso single led to London coming within one run of tying the game.

Braeden Ferrington pitched the bottom of the 8th and held Barrie off the scoreboard, recording a pair of strikeouts in the frame. And then the Majors’ bats picked up where they left off, this time putting up a big six-run inning. Four singles in a row had them up 10-9. Then, RBI knocks by Gibson Krzeminski, Starling Joseph and Eduardo de Oleo added to London’s lead. Barrie loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth against Skylar Janisse, but the right-hander was able to get out of the jam. The Majors’ Victor Plaz finished the game 4-for-5 with four runs scored and three RBIs. 

Up next:

The Majors (7-3) have a two-game weekend ahead, beginning with a home contest Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Fri. June 14 (7:35pm vs. Toronto Maple Leafs)
Sun. June 16 (1:05pm @ Hamilton Cardinals)

FC London

Women

The women’s team (3-3-2) played Vaughan Azzurri to a draw on Sunday, with both teams scoring a single goal. London struck first, with Ally Rowe scoring the ice breaker in the 32nd minute. Vaughan responded eight minutes later, tying the game. Both teams fought hard in the second half but neither were able to break through for a second score. 

Up next: 

Sat. June 15 (3:00pm vs. Alliance United)

Men

The Men’s team improved their record to 6-1-0 on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Darby FC. Dante D’Oria scored the lone goal for London, in the 24th minute, and goalkeeper Luka Palajsa earned the shutout in net. The win put London in first place in League1 Ontario’s Championship Division, just ahead of TFC Academy. A rematch against Darby FC lies ahead for London.

Up next:

Tues. June 11 (8:00pm @ Blue Devils FC) (League1 Cup match)
Fri. June 14 (8:30pm @ Darby FC)

PWHL Hockey

Londoner Julia Gosling was chosen sixth overall at the 2024 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) 2024 Draft on Tuesday. Toronto selected the 23-year-old with their first-round pick.

A forward, Gosling recently competed for Team Canada at the World Championships for the first time, joining fellow former London Devilettes Ella Shelton and her cousin, Nicole Gosling, on the squad for the 2024 event in Utica, NY.

A four-year player at St. Lawrence University, Gosling opted to bypass her fifth year of eligibility to enter the PWHL Draft after a very successful year of hockey. In 37 collegiate games this past season, she tallied 22 goals and 51 points.