IBL ROUNDUP: Duncan clinches home run title in Cards’ win

KITCHENER – Tyler Duncan went deep twice to clinch the 2023 IBL home run title in Hamilton’s 7-3 win in Kitchener on Monday.

Duncan entered the game tied with Toronto’s Johnathan Solazzo with 14 home runs, but the Cardinals’ second baseman pulled ahead with a two-run blast in the top of the second inning. He added a solo shot in the ninth.

Quin Cotton went 3-for-5 with an RBI, while Dennis Dei Baning and Jacob Underwood each drove in a run for Hamilton (19-23).

Alex Lanigan (4-0) went five innings for the win. He gave up two runs (one earned) on seven hits with five strikeouts.

Andy Leader led second-place Kitchener (26-15) with three hits, including a home run, and an RBI. Klaus Aplevich went 3-for-4 with a run and Keegan Marsden added an RBI.

Brett Reid (2-1) took the loss. He was charged with four runs (one earned) on four hits over two innings. He struck out one.

Leafs end regular season above .500

BRANTFORD – Toronto finished the regular season above .500 thanks to a 9-3 win Monday in Brantford.

Dan Marra went 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI, Greg Carrington had three hits and a run, Robin Fox-Pappas had two hits and scored, Jose Vinicio went 2-for-6 with an RBI, Justin Marra and Jordan Castaldo each drove in a run and Jesse Hodges picked up two hits and two runs.

Yoichi Ishihara threw two scoreless innings of relief for the win as fourth-place Toronto moved to 21-20.  

Jeremie Veilleux drove in a run for the Red Sox (8-34).

Hayden Stam took the loss, giving up three runs on three hits over two innings. He walked three and struck out two.