Majors climb to second; FC women in top half; Jr. ‘Stangs action

Gameday in 5: A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (June 10-18) — for London’s teams and athletes.

(Photo: Martin Bazyl / League1 Ontario).

* * *

London Majors

The Majors split their two games last week, and then won a close one Tuesday night to improve their record to 9-4 on the season thus far, currently good for second spot in the Intercounty Baseball League standings.

London got things rolling with a 7-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday, and they wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, scoring a pair of runs in the first inning. Kaiden Cardoso delivered a run-scoring double, and Victor Plaz notched an RBI single. By the end of the 2nd inning, it was 6-0 Majors. Tristan Osika had a big blow, driving in two with a single. Travis Keys enjoyed an excellent outing on the mound, allowing just one run on five hits over seven innings of work. He walked one and struck out six.

The fans came out in droves Sunday for ‘Pack the Park’ on Father’s Day, but unfortunately for the Majors, they were dealt a 6-3 loss by the visiting Hamilton Cardinals. Jose Arias went seven innings, giving up five runs on eight hits. He walked one and struck out five. Down 5-0 in the bottom of the 6th, London attempted a comeback bid by scoring three runs in the inning. Kaiden Cardoso had an RBI double, while Byron Reichstein cut into the lead with a two-run homer. But that’s as close as London would get, as the Cardinals shut them down for the remainder of the contest. Tristan Osika had a pair of hits in a losing effort.

The Majors then got back in the win column Tuesday night, earning a walk-off win — with a walk — against the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers at Labatt Park. Down 2-0 in the 2nd, the Majors scored four runs in the bottom half to take a lead. Byron Reichstein brought home Kaiden Cardoso with a sac fly to get things started, and then London brought home runs on a bases-loaded hit by pitch, a bunt, and an error. The visitors tied things 4-4 in the eighth, and the game eventually went to extra innings. Chatham scored two in their half of the 10th. But the Majors did them one better, scoring three in the bottom half for the win. Eduardo de Oleo drove in two runs with a single, and the eventual winning run came across on a Reichstein walk with the bases loaded.

Up next:

The Majors (9-4) have a busy stretch ahead, including three games in three days this weekend — starting with a home contest against first-place Welland on Friday.

Fri. June 21 (7:35pm vs. Welland Jackfish)
Sat. June 22 (7:30pm @ Guelph Royals)
Sun. June 23 (4:05pm vs. Chatham-Kent Barnstormers)

FC London

Women

The women’s team (4-3-2) picked up their fourth win of the season Saturday in a home match against Alliance United, winning by a close 1-0 margin. After a scoreless first half, Ally Rowe scored the team’s lone goal in the 51st minute. Cassidy Joslin stopped everything that came her way to earn the shutout for London, who sit in fourth place in the League1 Ontario Women’s Premier Division.

Up next: 

Wed. June 19 (8:00pm @ North Toronto)
Sat. June 22 (7:00pm @ North Mississauga SC)

Men

The men’s team settled for a 1-1 draw last Friday against North Mississauga SC. After a scoreless first half, Santiago Fonseca put FC London ahead in the 72nd minute. London held that lead for 11 minutes before Mississauga responded to tie the game. From there, neither team was able to break through in the remaining 7 minutes of full time, or the 7 extra stoppage minutes. London is now 6-1-1 on the season, tied with TFC Academy at the top of the Men’s Championship Division.

Up next:

Fri. June 21 (8:00pm @ Darby FC)

London Jr. Mustangs Football

In Ontario Summer Football action, the U18 Mustangs lost for the first time this year on Saturday, dropping a 13-10 game against the Essex Varsity Ravens. The win improved Essex to 4-1, good for second in the division (behind the 5-0 Hamilton Jr. Ticats). The Mustangs, meanwhile, are in third place with a 3-1 record. Through those three contests, London has scored 67 points and allowed 31.

The ‘Stangs’ U16 squad, meanwhile, also fell short to their Essex Ravens counterparts, losing a close one, 19-16, on the road. The loss moves the Mustangs to 2-2 on the season, in fourth place in the division. The Ravens improved to a perfect 5-0.

Next up for both London squads are games against the Oakville Titans at home at Western Alumni Stadium. The U16 squad will kick off at 5pm, while the U18s will get underway at 8pm.