Mullen’s walk-off gives Welland Finals-opening win against Barrie, but overshadowed by controversial umpiring

Umpiring took centre stage in game one of the 2025 IBL Finals, shaping the outcome in a way few expected.

While Robert Mullen’s walk-off single gave the Welland Jackfish a dramatic 5–4 win over the Barrie Baycats at Welland Stadium, much of the postgame conversation centered on a series of disputed calls.

Welland’s small-ball approach in the ninth inning benefitted from a pair of controversial calls, the last of which drew an irritated Baycats manager Josh Matlow out of the visitors dugout.

"We're just trying to keep our cool here, and I think the boys did a pretty good job at that," he said postgame. "But with everything considered, it ruined a good game."

INTERCOUNTY BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS — WELLAND LEADS SERIES 1-0

Garcés, Sano (9)(L, 1-2) and Plumpton;
Abram, Knoll (5), Howat (6), De Los Santos (7)(W, 1-0) and Mullen;
HRs: BAR — Odd 2 (3), McGarry Doyle (1); WEL — Sanford (1)

Nonetheless, Mullen delivered a game-winning single with the bases loaded, giving Welland a 1-0 series lead.

"Make good contact, I know the run is going to score. That is what I think," Mullen said postgame.

Mullen, who hit a series-ending walk-off homer in the quarterfinals, said Sunday’s hit was by far the bigger moment.

In the ninth, Weisner walked, stole second, then advanced to third on a bunt and later scored. When third-base umpire Michael Gouthro called Weisner safe on the bunt, Baycats reliever Carlos Sano and third baseman Adam Odd erupted in protest.

Two other plays, interpreted as missed calls, caught the attention of Baycats players and coaches throughout the night. In the fourth, Jackfish third baseman Thomas Green threw out Tristan Clarke at home plate on a relay. The play that made the rounds on social media and led to home plate umpire Justin Snively ejected Ryan Rijo from the Baycats dugout.

"I have never been tossed in my career. I have also never been one to make a stink about a blown call or a missed call," Rijo posted on social media minutes after the game ended. "The fact that I got tossed and what occurred in the innings going forward, and especially the ninth inning, is an absolute embarrassment to the game of baseball and the league. The [IBL] needs to do something about how these games are being umpired. Just a gong show."

Many Baycats voiced frustration over the call on Clarke and its impact on the game. Other questionable calls — including a check swing and an out at third on a stolen base attempt by Francisco Hernandez — drew brief protests, though neither matched the intensity of the ninth inning.

Jackfish starter Ben Abram allowed four runs on 10 hits over four innings, including homers from Odd and McGarry Doyle. The former Canadian national team pitcher allowed 10 or more hits in an IBL appearance for just the third time. De Los Santos later struck out four over three relief innings to secure the win.

Meanwhile, Baycats starter Frank Garcés gave up five runs over eight innings and held the Jackfish in check late. The biggest hit he allowed was a third-inning home run by Jake Sanford, which was his first homer since returning to Welland mid-postseason from the Frontier League's Ottawa Titans.

Coming into the Finals, Garcés had struck out 34 batters in 23 playoff innings while only allowing four earned runs.

“After Welland built a three-run lead in the third, Barrie clawed back with RBI doubles from McGarry Doyle and Francisco Hernandez before Odd’s second homer of the game evened the score. Odd and Hernandez each went three-for-four for Barrie, as did Weisner for Welland.

Sunday marked Welland’s fifth straight playoff win over Barrie, all in Finals play. The Baycats, meanwhile, dropped both regular-season meetings at Welland Stadium and went just 1–4 overall against the Jackfish in 2025.

UP NEXT

Game two of the series is Tuesday in Midhurst. Barrie's Cesar Rosado (1-0, 1.80 ERA) opposes Welland's José Dominguez (0-1, 1.12 ERA).