Panthers bats come alive in pre all-star finale
CHATHAM-KENT - The Kitchener Panthers hit five home runs, and converted two big innings into a rout of the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers.
The Panthers defeated the Barnstormers 15-3 Friday night in the final game before the All-Star Showdown in Chatham.
A pair of six-run innings led the way for Kitchener.
Trent Lawson went yard twice, while Yosvani Penalver, Malik Williams and Zane Skansi had home runs of their own in the win.
Former IBL rookie of the year Matt Fabian got his first start as a Panther, walking three times and scoring two runs.
Dionys Rodriguez registered the win in his CBL debut, going three innings and giving up just one hit. Evan Elliott gave up two runs on four hits in three innings in the start.
Kitchener improves to 10-15 on the season, but trail Guelph by 4.5 games for the final playoff spot. Chatham-Kent falls to 7-18.
Kitchener will have plenty of representation at the All-Star Showdown, including Josh Williams in the home run derby and Petey Kiefer in the bunting accuracy competition.
Kitchener returns from the all-star break with a home date with Hamilton Thursday at 7:05 p.m.
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