Panthers Drop Heartbreaker to Jackfish

The Kitchener Panthers got just what they needed, a gem of a start from rookie, Brett Reid, but were unable to hold onto a late innings lead and fell 8-6 to the Welland Jackfish on Sunday evening. Reid left the game after six innings pitched after allowing only three hits and two runs and with the Panthers leading the Jackfish by a score of 6-2 but 6 unanswered runs scored by the Jackfish in the final three innings saw the game fall out of the grasp of the Panthers in front of a lively crowd at Jack Couch Park.

The Panthers got out to an early lead in the first inning as Liam Wilson drew a walk and Andy Leader hit his fourth home run of the season on the first pitch he saw of the day. After the Jackfish cut the lead in half in the second inning, the Panthers tacked on another three runs in the bottom of the fourth thanks to an RBI single by Stephen Whalen and an RBI sac fly by Kenny Di Clemente.

After trading a run a piece in the fifth inning, the Jackfish picked up four runs in the top of the seventh and then hit a two run home run in the top of the 9th to pick up the 8-6 victory. Despite a few loud outs in the final few innings, the Panthers offence was held in check.

Offensively, the Panthers were led by Andy Leader who went 2 for 3 on the day with a home run and 3 RBI. Kenny Di Clemente also had a strong day, going 1 for 2 with a walk and an RBI sac fly.

Looking Ahead

The Panthers play their next game on the road, visiting the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday for a 7:30 showdown at Dominico Field at Christie Pits. The Guelph Royals will be in town on Thursday the 7th for a 7:30 game at Jack Couch Park before the Panthers finish off the week visiting the Barrie Baycats for a Saturday Night game at 7:00 PM at Vintage Thrown Stadium.

Schedule Note

On Monday July 11th, the Panthers will host the Brantford Red Sox at Jack Couch Park at 7:30 PM as the rescheduled date of a previously rained out game.