Panthers Take 2-0 Series Lead

Kitchener and Hamilton resumed their suspended Game 1 from Sunday on Wednesday evening in front of a packed crowd at Jack Couch.  The crowd was sent home happy.

Picking up the game in the bottom of the 2nd inning, the Panthers would score seven times in the frame against Zackary Gonzalez.  Brian Burton hit a grand slam to provide a cushion for the Panthers and extend the lead to 7-0.  Tanner Nivins would add a two run home run in the 4th off of Gonzalez for a 9-0 Panthers lead.

Hamilton would scrape three runs back in the 8th off of Kitchener relievers Austin Hassani and Matt Vickers.  Justin Gideon had a two run double for the Cardinals off of Vickers in the frame.  Gideon would later come home in the inning on a Laine Renaud RBI infield single.

Brian Burton continued his hot stretch with a RBI Fielder’s Choice in the bottom of the 8th to make it an 11-3 Panthers lead.

Christian Hauck gave up a walk in the 9th but would recover to shut the door and preserve the win for Kitchener giving them a 2-0 series lead over the Cardinals.

See below for the rest of the series dates.

Game 3       Fri., Aug. 23                   in Hamilton, 7:30pm

Game 4       Sat., Aug. 24                   in Kitchener, 7:00pm

Game 5       Sun., Aug. 25.                 in Kitchener, 7:00pm  * if necessary

Game 6       Tue., Aug. 27                 in Hamilton, 7:30pm  * if necessary

Game 7       Wed., Aug. 28                 in Kitchener, 7:30pm  * if necessary