Panthers take down top ranked Jackfish in Welland
WELLAND - An early start proved massive for the Kitchener Panthers.
They scored five runs in the first inning, including a three-run double from Yunior Ibarra, and defeated the top ranked Welland Jackfish 6-5 in the Rose City Friday night.
Things got tense as the game went along, and Welland started chipping away in the late innings. But Kitchener did not break.
Andy Vargas gave up two runs on seven hits in six innings of work. He struck out seven and walked four. Danny Garcia went the final three innings and picked up the save, giving up three runs (one earned) on three hits.
Charlie Towers led the attack with three hits and drove in what turned out to be the winning run in the fourth inning.
Kitchener would collect just two hits in the final five innings, but the pitching held up.
Jose Dominguez gave up six runs (five earned) on 10 hits in 5.2 innings of work. He struck out five and walked two in the loss.
With the win, Kitchener has won three straight and snapped Welland's eight-game winning streak.
Kitchener is in Barrie Saturday afternoon at 4:05 p.m.