The Brock Nutrite Lambert de Drummondville rallied late to defeat the Cactus de Victoriaville 9-3 on Tuesday night, narrowing Victoriaville’s lead in the best-of-seven Ligue de baseball majeur du Québec (LBMQ) semifinal to 3-2.
Late offensive push turns the game
Drummondville manufactured six runs across the final two innings to break open a tight affair at Stade Rémi-Deshaies, finishing with 13 hits to Victoriaville’s eight. The visitors’ rally included a two-run double by Michael Zgorzelski in the sixth and a solo homer by Tom Guilbert earlier in the game that helped build momentum.
Victoriaville had taken a momentary step forward in the fifth when Rylan Sandoval singled home Michaël Laprise, but Drummondville answered. Guilbert’s shot in the bottom of the inning and an additional run after an error on a ball by Jonathan Raymond swung the game back in Drummondville’s favour.
Pitching decisions and postseason records
Ryosuke Hasegawa earned his first playoff victory of this series for Drummondville. Xavier Tremblay picked up the save. For Victoriaville, starter Alexis Hurens was charged with the loss.
Tuesday’s result leaves the series alive and shifts pressure back onto the Cactus as they prepare to host Game 6 on Thursday evening. If Victoriaville cannot close the series at home, a deciding Game 7 would be played the following night.
- Final score: Drummondville 9, Victoriaville 3
- Hits: Drummondville 13, Victoriaville 8
- Series: Victoriaville leads 3-2
"Victoriaville still leads the best-of-seven series 3-2," the league reported.
How the scoring unfolded
Drummondville opened the scoring in the second inning when Jonathan Raymond delivered an RBI single. The third inning saw Michel Dagenais and Guilbert drive in runs to give the Brock Nutrite Lambert club a 3-0 advantage. Victoriaville’s response in the fifth cut the deficit, but Drummondville’s sixth-inning rally produced four runs that effectively decided the contest.
Victoriaville mounted a two-run seventh inning on RBI singles from Sandoval and John Loschiavo, but the offence stalled thereafter and the Cactus were unable to mount a comeback.
What’s next for Victoriaville
Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10, at 8 p.m. at Stade Rémi-Deshaies in Victoriaville. If the series returns to a tied position, a Game 7 would follow on Friday. The onus is now on the Cactus to protect home ice and finish the series before it returns to Drummondville.
| Game | Date | Location | Series standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 6 | Thursday, Sept. 10 | Stade Rémi-Deshaies, Victoriaville | Victoriaville leads 3-2 |
| Game 7 (if necessary) | Friday, Sept. 11 | TBD | Decider |
The LBMQ playoff calendar also reported other series with momentum swings: Coaticook held a 3-1 lead over Shawinigan, and Acton Vale led Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu 3-2 entering Wednesday’s play. For Victoriaville fans, the immediate concern is clear: a strong showing at home Thursday is necessary to avoid returning the series to Drummondville with the outcome still undecided.
Local supporters hoping to see the Cactus advance will be watching pitching matchups and late-inning depth closely — Tuesday’s game demonstrated how quickly a series can change when timely hitting and bullpen work converge for the visiting club.
Coverage of Game 6 and any postseason developments involving the Cactus will be provided as they unfold.
