Panthers Drop Close Game against London, Pick up Win Versus Brantford
The Kitchener Panthers finished off a four game week splitting a pair of games over the weekend. Visiting London on Friday night, the Panthers came up just short, falling 7-6 in an exciting back and forth game.
The Panthers jumped out to a one run lead in the top of the first after a two out double by Liam Wilson and later scored on a London throwing error. Back to back home runs by the Majors to begin the bottom of the first gave London an edge in the game until Andy Leader hit a two RBI single to put the panthers up 3-2 in the top of the third.
The score held until the bottom of the fifth when the Majors rallied for four runs resulting in a three run lead which was immediately erased by the Panthers in the top of the sixth as the Panthers tacked on three and were denied more by a diving play on the infield to end the inning and strand the go ahead runners at second and third base.
The Majors were able to plate a runner in the bottom of the seventh which ended up being the winning run as the Panthers fell 7-6.
Brett Reid got the start for the Panthers, going 4.1 innings, giving up six runs and striking out three. Brady Schnarr was charged with the loss, throwing 2.2 innings, striking out one and giving up one run.
For London, Owen Boon got the start, giving up eight hits and five earned runs through 5.1 innings. Braeden Ferrington picked up the win in relief, throwing 3.2 scoreless innings.
Jett Jarvis went 2 for 4 with two runs scored out of the leadoff spot, Blake Jacklin had three hits and an RBI, Liam Wilson went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk, and Andy Leader went 1 for 3 with 3 RBI in the contest.
Game 2
The Sunday afternoon match between the Panthers and Brantford Red Sox saw the Panthers get back in the Win column for their third victory of the week as they took down the Red Sox by a score of 11-5 at Jack Couch Park.
After allowing three runs in the top of the first inning, the Panthers chipped away and scored at least a run an inning between the second and seventh inning to cruise to a comfortable win.
Andy Leader and Eric Martin each hit their fifth home runs of the season and Tyler Hinrikus hit his third of the season which ended up being the critical blow of the game as it was a three run shot to put the Panthers up 6-3 in the fourth inning. The Red Sox were unable to hold off the Panthers offence as they put up another five runs over the next three innings.
Tyler Lawrence got his first IBL start for the Panthers, going five innings, allowing three earned runs and only four hits. Nathan Laird had another strong showing out of the pen, being called on to work out of a jam in the sixth inning with two runners on and inducing a double play ball to end the inning on the first pitch he threw. Laird would throw 2.2 innings in total, allowing only one hit and striking out one. Grant Shantz pitched a clean ninth inning, facing only three batters.
Offensively, Kitchener was led by Tyler Hinrikus who went 2 for 3 with 2 runs, a home run and five RBI on the day. Stephen Whalen had a hit and two RBI, Kenny Di Clemente had two hits, a walk and three runs scored, Eric Martin had a home run and two RBI, and Liam Wilson and Keegan Marsden both had two hit days.
Looking Ahead
The Panthers have a three game week ahead of them, facing the Welland Jackfish and the Barrie Baycats on the road for Thursday and Saturday night games.
The lone home game of the week is on Sunday the 24th as the Panthers welcome the Jackfish at 2:00 PM at Jack Couch Park. This is our Kitchener Blues Festival Promotional game and will feature live music pre game featuring the Show Me The Money Blues Band beginning at roughly 12:30PM. Fans will also have the opportunity to win two “VIP Gold Passes” to the Kitchener Blues Festival fundraiser concert featuring Whitehorse, Sam Roberts Band and Dylan Wickens Band! These tickets are valued at $150 dollars each!
Tickets for our Kitchener Blues Festival game can be purchased here.