Panthers stay busy on IBL deadline day
KITCHENER - Times up, pencils down.
The Intercounty Baseball League's transaction deadline has come and gone, and the Kitchener Panthers worked right up to 11:59 p.m. Monday and made a few moves.
The team has acquired American imports Jacob Liberta (LHP/OF) and Petey Kiefer (INF), as well as Ricardo Alvarez De Lugo (RHP) and Isaiah Scott (INF).
Liberta is a graduate of the University of Hawaii Hilo (NCAA D2), where he played four seasons for the Vulcans and was team captain. The lefty was named to the Academic All-PacWest Team in three of his four seasons.
In 2024, his final year at Hawaii-Hilo, Libertia posted a 3.63 ERA in 22.1 innings and picked up four saves.
He won a Northwoods League championship with the Green Bay Rockers in 2023, moved on to the Japan Winter League in 2024 and has spent 2025 playing in Germany as both a pitcher and outfielder.
"I am extremely excited to add Jake to our pitching staff," said general manager Shanif Hirani. "His experience as a closer in college will play a big role down the stretch for us in high leverage situations."
Kiefer is coming off playing a professional season in Germany.
The son of manager Pete Kiefer played four years of collegiate ball, including two years at Black Hawk College (NJCAA), and a year each at Dominican College (NCAA D2) and Johnson University (NAIA).
"He had more walks then strikeouts (in Germany) which adds another type of player we have been looking to add to our lineup," said Hirani. "A career average over .300 in college, Petey will add a tough out into our lineup along with solid defence up the middle."
De Lugo is in his third year in the IBL. After spending his first two years in Brantford, De Lugo started 2025 with the London Majors.
He has 22 career appearances split between the two teams. He made eight starts last year for the Sox, where he recorded a 6.04 ERA in 47.2 innings, picking up 26 strikeouts.
He won a Black College World Series title with Florida Memorial University (NAIA) in 2023.
"Ricardo adds another arm we can deploy out of our bullpen," said Hirani. "He is someone who always wants the ball and will compete every time he takes the mound."
Scott is coming off his sophomore season at Iowa Central, where he hit .287 in 62 games, picking up five home runs, 48 RBI and 15 stolen bases.
The Ontario Blue Jays grad helped the Tritons to a NJCAA D2 World Series semifinal berth.
"Isaiah adds an extremely versatile piece to our roster," Hirani said. "Coming off a JUCO World Series appearance, he has been facing high level competition and should be able to step in right away and help our team.
"He also had 50 walks last season which is a testament of his understanding of the strike zone, which is something we value."
But with additions came subtractions with a limit of five imports per team.
Pitcher Yadian Martinez was moved to the inactive list, and infielder Yordan Manduley was released.
"I want to thank Yadian and Yordan for the time they spent with our team this season," Hirani said. "I wish them both the best of luck in the future."