The dream of back-to-back championships is over for the Welland Jackfish.

The Guelph Royals knocked off the defending Dominico Cup champions 12-3 Thursday night before more than 2,000 fans at Welland Stadium to take the IBL best-of-five semifinal playoff series 3-2.

The Royals and Barrie Baycats now meet in a best-of-seven series for the Intercounty Baseball League championship beginning Sunday in Barrie.

The Jackfish faced elimination in last year’s semifinal but topped the Toronto Maple Leafs to advance to the final.

“Obviously, we wanted to win and get through that series. Credit to Guelph, they outplayed us and flat out beat us,” Jackfish manager Brian Essery said. “It makes it a little easier when you get beat. They outperformed us, yet it was a tough series. It was back and forth.”

The Jackfish took a 3-1 lead early before the Royals stormed back with 11 unanswered runs highlighted by a three-run homer by Andy Leader off reliever Mike Mueller.

“We controlled the first half of that game and they controlled the second half,” Essery said.

Essery felt Mueller gave the Jackfish the best chance to get out of the inning.

“He’s been a stud for us all year. He had a 0.00 ERA during the season. He’s our set up guy, our go-to guy in tough situations all year, and that was another tough situation. We needed a big out and he usually provides it for us. It happens. It’s baseball,” Essery said.

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