WEEK AHEAD: Barnstormers pay first visit to Kitchener on Beat Cancer Night

KITCHENER - The Panthers are looking for revenge, but are also just looking to get back on the right track.

After a win in London and a loss against Brantford Friday and Sunday respectively, Kitchener finds itself with a 1-5 record and in the basement of the IBL standings. 

So there is only one way to go, and that is upwards.

A bright spot so far has been lead off man Jett Jarvis. The fourth year Panther is 10-for-28 this season with four RBI.

Despite some pitching woes, both Yadian Martinez and Jose Vasquez have carried the load on the hill so far, as both are expected to pitch in the next three games.

Martinez (20) and Vasquez (19) are one and two in the IBL for strikeouts.

Martinez boasts a 1.92 ERA, while Vasquez's ERA is 3.60 and is coming off his first career complete game in the IBL.

The Panthers begin the road back to the win column Thursday night at home against the expansion Chatham-Kent Barnstormers on BEAT CANCER NIGHT at Jack Couch Park. 

The Barnstormers dispatched the Panthers 5-3 during its home opener on May 18.

Chatham-Kent sports a 2-3 record on the season. Seth Strong leads the offense with a .444 batting average and three home runs. Six of his eight hits this season have gone for extra bases.

FOR BEAT CANCER NIGHT, CASH DONATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE GATE, OR YOU CAN DONATE ONLINE, WITH ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO BENEFIT CANCER RESEARCH. REMEMBER TO WEAR LAVENDER IN SUPPORT OF CANCER AWARENESS!

On Saturday, Kitchener will head up Highway 7 to take on former Panther Josh Garton and the Guelph Royals.

Garton has been on a torrid start, leading the league with a .700 average and four dingers. Kitchener is looking to erase a 27-6 defeat from May 19.

But it is the pitching that has been quite the highlight for the Royals. As a team, Guelph's pitching staff sports an IBL-best 2.67 ERA, with batters hitting a mere .124 against them, albeit the sample size is small as Guelph has only played three games.

Sunday, it is YOUTH SPORTS DAY as the Panthers welcome the defending IBL champion Welland Jackfish to town.

Welland enters the week with a 3-3 record, and continue to be a menace on the basepath, leading the league with 15 stolen bases (on 18 attempts).

Matteo Porcellato and Gio Morello both have three stolen bases and sport a batting average above .400.

ANY YOUTH WEARING ANY SPORTS JERSEY WILL BE GRANTED FREE ENTRY INTO THE BALLPARK SUNDAY, AS LONG AS THEY'RE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.

Punch your ticket to Jack Couch Park by buying a ticket online! Get FLEX packs or single-game tickets HERE.

GAMES THIS WEEK