KITCHENER PANTHERS
13-TIME IBL CHAMPIONS
Kitchener Panthers
menuGAME 1: Panthers steal home field in extras
WELLAND - That's one.
A Raul Gonzalez two-out RBI single in the 10th turned out to be the winner as the Kitchener Panthers steal home field advantage from the Welland Jackfish with a 3-2 win in Game 1 of the best-of-five quarterfinal series.
It was an absolute pitchers duel from the start, as both Yadian Martinez and Ben Abram gave up just one hit each through the first three innings.
Steven Moretto's RBI single in the fourth was answered by a two-run double by Ryan Burnside in the sixth.
Kitchener's lead would be short lived, as Jake Sanford tied it, driving home a run on a two-out single.
Martinez held the fort for Kitchener, giving up two runs on six hits in 6.1 innings of work. He walked five and fanned five.
Abram went seven innings, giving up a pair of runs on six hits as well. He walked one and struck out six batters.
Yankiel Mauris took the win, as he gave up just two hits in 3.2 innings of scoreless work, striking out four in the process.
Deivy Mendez took the loss, giving up the one run on one hit in the 10th.
Yunior Ibarra went two-for-four. Spenser Ross, Nick Parsons, and AJ Karosas also got a hit.
Welland's lead off hitter, Jonah Weisner, got three hits and got on base four times in the loss.
Of note, the usually stout base stealers from Welland came up empty on three attempts stealing second.
Game 2 goes Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Jack Couch Park, and it is FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT!
The first 100 fans through the gate will get a PEAK REALTY PLAYOFF WATER BOTTLE. There will also be a draw for Panthers swag and a chance to win a FLEX PACK of tickets for the 2025 season!
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW and #PackTheJack!