The Warriors baseball team secured back-to-back victories against the Guelph Gryphons on Sunday, edging out their opponents in two thrilling games. In the first game, the Warriors took an early lead and held on for a 5-3 win, while the second game ended in dramatic walk-off fashion, with the Warriors claiming an 8-7 victory.
Game 1: Warriors Start Strong, Hold Off Gryphons
Waterloo came out firing in the bottom of the first inning of the opener. Klaus Aplevich (Siegen/) kicked things off with a single, followed by a double from Jayden Kemp (Nassau, Bahamas/) and an RBI single by Alex Seelman (Georgetown/), as the Warriors quickly plated three runs.
In the bottom of the third, Aplevich added to the Warriors' lead with a solo home run to left field, making it 4-0. Waterloo added another run later in the game, but Guelph fought back, scoring three runs of their own. However, the Warriors' pitching was strong enough to preserve the lead.
Jake Ray earned the win on the mound for Waterloo, going six innings while allowing six hits and three runs—only one of which was earned. He struck out six batters and walked none. Aidan Armitage (Waterloo/) closed out the game with a scoreless inning, securing the save.
On offense, the Warriors racked up nine hits, with Kemp going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. Aplevich led the team with two RBIs, finishing 2-for-3. Waterloo's defense was sharp, turning one double play to keep the Gryphons at bay.
Guelph's Ryan Cooper took the loss, despite a solid performance. He gave up nine hits and five runs—four earned—over six innings, striking out five. Marco da Gama drove in two runs for Guelph, while Owen Ellis contributed a 2-for-3 day at the plate.
Game 2: Walk-Off Thriller
In the second game, the Warriors claimed an 8-7 victory in walk-off fashion. With the game tied at seven in the bottom of the eighth inning, Cody Hagerman (Whitby/) came through with a clutch single, driving in the game-winning run.
The Gryphons struck first in the second inning, with Arthur Kowara launching a two-run homer to left field. However, Waterloo quickly responded in the third inning to tie the game at 2-2, thanks to Aplevich's fielder's choice that brought in a run.
Guelph regained control in the fourth inning with a five-run outburst, highlighted by Logan Miziolek's two-RBI double, giving the Gryphons a commanding 7-2 lead. But the Warriors mounted a steady comeback, scoring four runs in the fourth and tying the game at seven in the bottom of the seventh when Sean Skorupski (Mississauga/) grounded out, bringing in the tying run.
Carson Hepburn (Newmarket/) started the game for the Warriors, surrendering seven runs (six earned) on five hits over three and one-third innings, while striking out four. The Warriors' bullpen was outstanding, with Matthew McKelvey (Dundas/), Aidan Armitage (Waterloo/), and Joel Palmer (Waterdown/) combining to shut down the Gryphons over the final innings.
On offense, Waterloo collected nine hits, with Hagerman leading the charge. He went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, including the walk-off single. Skorupski, Sam Shephard (Belle River/), and Hagerman each recorded two hits in the game.
For Guelph, Miziolek's double and two RBIs were the highlights, while Sam Brown and #3 led the Gryphons in hits and stolen bases, with Guelph swiping three bags in total.
