Don't Call It A Comeback
It took some late game heroics, but the Panthers pulled out another thrilling win in front of their fans at Jack Couch Park.
Before most could bat an eye, the Panthers were down 3-0 in the 1st inning to the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs. Zac Orchard had a two run single and Cooper Lamb had a RBI single of his own to give the Leafs the lead. Toronto would extend the lead to 5-0 in the 2nd when Ryan Santos hit into a run scoring Fielder’s Choice. Marcus Knecht followed lining a RBI single to center.
Kitchener wouldn’t get on the board against Leafs starter Alberto Tirado until the bottom of the 4th when Mike Gordner blasted a solo home run to center field to cut the lead to 5-1.
It stayed a 5-1 until the bottom of the 7th when Kitchener started to chip away at the back end of the Leafs bullpen. Mike Gordner had his second RBI of the night, this time on a bases loaded walk scoring Yorbis Borroto. Liam Wilson followed with a Sac Fly to right to score Colin Gordner to pull the Panthers within 5-3.
Borroto would homer in the 8th to get Kitchener within a run at 5-4. Later in the inning with two outs Brian Burton laced a double down the left field line to score pinch runner Jeff Hunt to tie the game for Kitchener.
Miguel Lahera struck out the side in the top of the 9th to set the stage for the Panthers to walk it off in the bottom. Liam Wilson reached 2nd to leadoff the inning on a wild throw by Leafs 3rd baseman Cooper Lamb. WIlson would take 3rd on a bunt single by Andy Leader. Toronto pulled the infield in against Mike Andrulis and nailed Wilson at the plate to temporarily keep the game tied. Toronto took their chances by intentionally walking Borroto to pitch to Hunt. Hunt made the Leafs pay by lining a soft liner into right to score Leader and give the Panthers a walk off 6-5 win over the Maple Leafs.
Kitchener travels to London on Friday for a 7:35pm scheduled start time. The Panthers are back home on Sunday at 2:00pm against the Hamilton Cardinals.