Gameday in 5

A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Aug. 29-Sept. 6) — for London’s teams and athletes.

(Photo: Joanna Kurowski Photography)

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London Majors

The Majors jumped out to a 2-0 series lead in their IBL semi-final against the Hamilton Cardinals, winning 12-1 in Game 1 Saturday night and 8-2 in Game 2 Tuesday. The London bats got off to a fast start in the series, scoring five runs in the first inning in Game 1. Ahead 7-1, they scored five more in the seventh en route to the lopsided series-opening win.

Ace Jose Arias went 7 innings, striking out 8 and allowing just one run. Daniel Gore worked the final two frames, pitching scoreless baseball with two strikeouts. Taylor Wright had a homer and a team-high 3 RBIs, while Jakob Newton went 3-for-4 with two runs and a pair of RBIs. Starling Joseph, Dan Perrier and Keith Kandel had two hits apiece.

After Game 2 was postponed Sunday (due to field conditions in Hamilton), that contest was played Tuesday in London, and the Majors grabbed a 2-0 series lead with an 8-2 win at Labatt Park. Owen Boon was strong on the hill for London, allowing just one unearned run (three hits and a pair of walks) over 7 innings while striking out 5. Wright drove in four runs, including a two-RBI double, while Joseph, Newton and Robert Mullen had two hits apiece. Byron Reichstein reached twice, tripling and driving in a run.

Up next:

The Majors will look for a series sweep Wednesday night in Hamilton. If the series is extended, Games 4 and 5 will take place Friday in Hamilton and Saturday in London, respectively. (In the other IBL semi-final, the Toronto Maple Leafs lead the Welland Jackfish 2-1 in a best-of-five heading into action Wednesday).

Game 3: Wed. Sept. 7 (7:30pm @ Hamilton Cardinals)
Game 4: Fri. Sept. 9 (7:30pm @ Hamilton Cardinals) – If necessary
Game 5: Sat. Sept. 10 (7:05 pm vs Hamilton Cardinals) – If necessary

Western Mustangs

The Mustangs football team is off to a strong start, having won each of their first two games. The defending Vanier Cup champs kicked things off Aug. 27 at home with a 34-11 win over the Guelph Gryphons at Western Alumni Stadium. After a slow start (they led just 10-6 at halftime), the Mustangs put up 24 points in the second half and controlled the play throughout the third and fourth quarters. Both Keon Edwards (118) and Edouard Wanadi (105) logged over 100 yards rushing, with Edwards running in a pair of touchdowns. Quarterback Evan Hillock completed 13 of 22 pass attempts for 155 yards and two touchdowns (one to Wanadi and the other to wideout Savaughn Magnaye-Jones). Daniel Valente Jr. had a bigtime game on defense, recording three interceptions.

The Mustangs put up another strong offensive performance Saturday in beating the Laurier Golden Hawks, 34-19. Leading 14-6, the game was paused late in the second quarter due to lightning, but when play resumed after an hour delay, the Mustangs picked up right where they left off. Hillock had a very strong game, throwing four touchdown passes in the game while completing 15 of 20 pass attempts for 249 yards. Magnaye-Jones (5 catches, 145 yards) hauled in three of those touchdown passes, while Justin Nickson (5 receptions, 53 yards) had the other. Once again, Edwards (127) and Wanadi (103) both logged over 100 rushing yards.

Up next:

The Mustangs (2-0), who are the early No. 1-ranked team in the country, will try to open their season with three straight wins this Saturday when they take on the No. 5 Queens Gaels (2-0) at home in a night game (7pm) at Western Alumni Stadium.

Sat. Sept. 10 (7:00pm vs. Queens Gaels)

London Knights

Knights training camp took place last weekend, with 81 players competing on four teams in intrasquad games Friday and Saturday. The camp wrapped up Sunday with the annual Green and Gold, offering fans a chance to get a glimpse of this year’s talent. Team Green came out on top, 10-4, in the contest.

Denver Barkey, Kaeden Johnston, and William Nicholl logged multi-point games for the Green squad, while Bryce Montgomery and Easton Cowan did the same for team Gold.

Up next:

The Knights get their preseason started this Friday (Sept. 9) when they host the Sarnia Sting. They’ll travel to Sarnia the following night, and then play a home-and-home against Erie Sept. 23 & 24 before kicking off the regular season at home Sept. 30 against Owen Sound.

Fri. Sept. 9 (7:00pm vs. Sarnia Sting)
Sat. Sept. 10 (7:05pm @ Sarnia Sting)

London Beefeaters

The Beefeaters suffered their first loss of the season Saturday, falling 26-18 to the rival St. Clair Saints from Windsor. The Beefeaters led 6-3 at the half but fell behind in the second. They were outscored 10-7 in the third quarter and 13-5 in the fourth.

LJ Dyer scored London’s lone touchdown and finished the day with 51 yards on 10 carries. Lead back Taz Bell had 91 yards on 12 carries, including a 53-yard scamper. Kicker A.J. Williamson made all three of his field goal attempts. Quarterback Ethan Chambers completed nine passes on 22 attempts for 94 yards while throwing an interception in the process. His top target was Nick Mackenzie, who hauled in four passes for 66 yards.

Up next:

The Beefeaters (3-1) will try to get back in the win column this Saturday when they face St. Clair (4-0) in a rematch — this time in Windsor at Acumen Stadium.

Sat. Sept. 10 (7:00pm @ St. Clair Saints)