FC closes season with draw; Beefs win home opener; Majors finish strong

Gameday in 5: A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Aug. 14-20) — for London’s teams and athletes.

FC London’s men’s team earned a draw in its final match of the season Saturday, Aug. 19 at Tricar Field. (Photo: Martin Bazyl / League1 Ontario).

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FC London

Coming off their first loss in their past 10 contests, FC London’s men’s team closed out the 2023 season with a draw Saturday night, 3-3, against North Mississauga SC under the lights at Tricar Field. And with that, the home side finished the year with a record of 6-7-7.

Finn Bansal scored the icebreaker just before halftime to give FC London a 1-0 lead. Riding that momentum into the second half, Cameron Smyth doubled London’s lead in the 50th minute. North Mississauga responded shortly after, but Santiago Fonseca restored the home side’s two-goal lead in the 63rd minute. Unfortunately for London, the visitors made a late push to tie things up — first, with a goal in the 86th minute, and then a tying score in extra time.

FC London placed 13th out of 21 teams this season, out of the playoffs in League1 Ontario play, but they enjoyed a strong second half of the season. After winning just once in their first nine matches, the squad went on a nine-game unbeaten streak (five wins, four draws), and nearly finished the year at .500.

London Majors

The Majors bounced back after a rough week to win three of four — including sweeping all three of their weekend games, as they prepare for playoffs which get underway this Thursday (London will face Kitchener in the first round).

The week started with a loss, as the Guelph Royals won a 3-2 decision in a midweek marquee pitching matchup on Wednesday at Labatt Park. Claudio Custodio and Owen Boon faced off, and both were on their games. London’s Boon went six innings and allowed two runs while striking out six before giving way to the bullpen. A Cleveland Brownlee sac fly gave the Majors the lead in the first, but Guelph got to Boon in the sixth and put up two runs in the frame. The Royals extended their lead to 3-1 in the eighth, and although the Majors rallied to tie things up, they ultimately fell short.

On Friday, the Majors beat the third-place Barrie Baycats by a 6-5 margin. Alex Springer started the game for London and allowed four runs on seven hits over five innings. The Majors’ offense came out strong with a pair of runs in the first. After Barrie came within a run (3-2) in the top of the fourth, London responded with three in the bottom half. Kayne McGee got things started with a solo homer, and then Brad Verhoeven and Drew Lawrence delivered RBI singles.

Barrie made a game of it by scoring twice in the fifth, and then again in the seventh, but London reliever Jaryd Lund shut the door, getting out of a bases loaded, nobody out jam in the ninth to secure a Majors win. Starling Joseph had a home run and a double in the contest.

The Majors made it two in a row Saturday in Welland with an 8-5 win over the Jackfish behind starter Pedro De Los Santos. Pitching in his first game since July 23, De Los Santos went six innings and allowed four runs against the IBL’s first-place team. He walked just one and struck out eight, leaving with a 7-4 lead. Wilbur Martinez came on in relief and earned a three-inning save. Jordan Schulefand was an offensive catalyst for London, going 4-for-4 with a pair of runs and an RBI. Dan Battel and Brett Graham both went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

The Majors came out on top again on Sunday, beating the Brantford Red Sox in comeback fashion, 11-9 in extra innings. Schulefand got the start and allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings. London was in control early, but the bullpen faltered in the sixth, allowing Brantford to score six runs and take a 9-6 lead. Fortunately for the Majors, reliever Skylar Janisse was excellent out of the bullpen — and London rallied for a three-run ninth to tie things up. Two more in the top of the 10th put the game away. Graham and Battel both had four hits in the contest, while Will Pollard went 3-for-6 with a pair of RBIs.

Up next:

The Majors (16-25), who have finished seventh in the IBL in regular season play, are tentatively scheduled to play a final game Tuesday in Guelph before beginning their first-round playoff matchup against the No. 2 Kitchener Panthers later this week.

IBL Playoffs First Round: London Majors (No. 7) vs. Kitchener Panthers (No. 2) (best-of-five series)

Game 1: Thurs. Aug. 24 (7:30pm @ Jack Couch Park)
Game 2: Fri. Aug. 25 (7:35pm at Labatt Park)
Game 3: Sun. Aug. 27 (2:00pm @ Jack Couch Park)
Game 4: Tues. Aug. 29 (7:35pm at Labatt Park) (if necessary)
Game 5: Wed. Aug. 30 (7:30pm @ Jack Couch Park) (if necessary)

London Beefeaters

In their home opener Sunday, the London Beefeaters trounced the Hamilton Hurricanes, 41-6, thanks to a big 24-point fourth quarter at City Wide Sports Park.

Leading 10-6 at the half, the Beefeaters scored a touchdown in the third quarter and then exploded for 24 points in the fourth to cruise to their second win of the season. London amassed 359 yards on the ground, led by LJ Dyer’s 133 on 17 carries. Geoffrey Clubine rushed eight times for 91 yards and a touchdown, while Luca Rosiello (7 carries, 65 yards) also ran in a score.

Quarterback George Palmer completed seven of his 13 pass attempts for 83 yards. He threw for a touchdown (and had an interception), while also gaining 53 yards (6 carries) on the ground with a touchdown scamper. Jagger Horst, who caught four passes for 58 yards, had London’s lone receiving touchdown.

Defensively, Ben Regier and Trent Ingram both had six total tackles, while Logan Clyde recorded five. Drew Lawrence intercepted a pass, while N’Kosi Stewart had a sack and three tackles for a loss.

Up next:

The Beefeaters (2-0) are back in action Saturday for a showdown against the perennial powerhouse St. Clair Saints. Kickoff is 5:00pm at City Wide Sports Park.

Sat. Aug. 26 (5:00pm vs. St. Clair Saints)