Third time was the charm for the Innisfil Cardinals as they claimed their first junior division championship in the North Dufferin Baseball League with an 8-7 victory over the Barrie Baycats on Monday, Aug. 17.

After falling short in the championship series, the previous two seasons against the Creemore Padres, the Cardinals finally broke through to capture the title. The victory capped a determined playoff run and marked a long-awaited reward for a team that had come close but was unable to finish the job in recent years.

The best-of-five series lasted four games, with Innisfil winning Game 1 by a 10-3 score, Game 3 6-4 and Game 4 on Monday. The Baycats claimed Game 2, 3-2.

The final game started with the Cardinals scoring once in the first inning, but Barrie responded with three runs in the third and four more in the fourth to build a 7-1 lead.

Innisfil's comeback began in the top of the sixth inning when they scored seven runs on five hits to erase the deficit and take an 8-7 lead.

Barrie was held in check over their final two at-bats.

Innisfil collected eight hits, with Aidan Farrow and Jackson Levely each recording a double and a single. Additional hits came from Tyrus Harper, Brennan Hedrick, Michael Dawe and Caden Firlotte.

For Barrie, Drew Wilcox had two singles, while Matt Vandevis, Damon Crozier and Ryan Cummins added singles. Tyler Hardwick and Nate Pullen each doubled.

Dawe started on the mound for the Cardinals, pitching five innings and allowing seven runs on six hits while walking five, hitting one batter and striking out three.

Justin Goldie entered in the sixth inning and tossed two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk.

Barrie starter Evan Macfadden pitched five innings, surrendering two runs on three hits while walking two, hitting two batters and striking out one.

Jonathan Rossel worked the final two innings, allowing six runs on five hits while hitting two batters and striking out two.

Innisfil finished third overall during the regular season and opened the playoffs with two victories over the sixth-place Caledon Nationals before defeating the second-place Orillia Royals in the semifinal round.

Barrie, who finished fifth in the standings, eliminated the fourth-place Creemore Padres and top-seeded Innisfil Cardinals 2 en route to the final.

The Anderson Trophy, awarded to the junior division champions, was presented by league secretary and division convenor Scott Anderson to Cardinals coach Rob Harper during a post-game ceremony.