Panthers take season series over Red Sox
KITCHENER - The Kitchener Panthers are closer to clinching a playoff spot.
They scored three runs in the first, and that was all they needed in an 8-2 win over the Brantford Red Sox Thursday night at Jack Couch Park.
Nico Kyrose hit a two-run double, while Yosvani Penalver drove in Mateo Zeppieri - who stole both second and third - as the Panthers had the lead after just two batters.
Owen MacNeil gave up five walks, but was otherwise lights out, striking out six in six innings of work for the win. He gave up three hits, but none of them until the fourth inning.
It remained 3-0 for the majority of the game, until Zeppieri hit his fifth home run of the season in the seventh.
Kitchener would then have a big four-run eighth to really build a run cushion, led by Petey Kiefer's first career IBL hit, a two-run single.
Jake Liberta was near spotless in the eighth, giving up just a walk in his IBL debut. Ricardo Alvarez De Lugo closed it out in the ninth, giving up two runs in his Panther debut.
Isaiah Scott didn't see a plate appearance, but came on to play right field in the ninth inning.
Colby Klepper took the loss, giving up three runs (none earned) on three hits in three innings of work. He struck out eight and walked two.
Kitchener improves to 14-21 on the year, seven games up on Brantford who has nine games left.
The Panthers also find themselves a game and a half back of seventh place Toronto.
Kitchener is in Chatham-Kent Saturday, before hosting Barrie Sunday at 2 p.m.
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW and #PackTheJack!