WEEK AHEAD: Panthers look to continue winning ways

KITCHENER - Suddenly surging up the IBL standings, the Kitchener Panthers have a busy week ahead.

It begins with a rare Thursday night away from Jack Couch Park, with Kitchener visiting Barrie against the Baycats. This is the second meeting of the season between the teams who met in last year's IBL semifinal.

Barrie took the first game 7-3 at Vintage Throne Stadium on June 20.

The Baycats have lost three of its last five outings, and sit second in the IBL with a 13-8 record. That is five games back of Welland for the league lead.

Hayden Jaco leads the way on offense with a .362 batting average, and leads the IBL with a .479 on-base-percentage.

On Friday, Kitchener goes to Hamilton to face the Cards. Kitchener took the last meeting 6-2 on June 14 in the Hammer.

Hamilton has a 3-3 record in its last six, and are coming off a 10-5 win in Toronto Sunday.

On Sunday, it is back to the Jack, as Kitchener hosts Barrie for SUPER HERO DAY.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KITCHENER FIRE AND PEAK REALTY, WE ARE CELEBRATING FIRST RESPONDERS, OUR SUPER HEROES IN THE COMMUNITY! FIRST 100 FIRST RESPONDERS HAVE TICKETS WAITING AT THE GATE!

We wrap up the week with a rare Tuesday home game against Brantford for GRANDPARENT NIGHT.

BRING YOUR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA TO THE GAME, AND YOUTH GET IN FOR FREE! AN INTRO TO PICKEBALL LESSON AND TASTING CERTIFICATE WILL BE GIVEN AWAY!

On the field, the Panthers and Red Sox lock up for the fourth time this season.

After Brantford bested Kitchener in their first two meetings, the Panthers took down the Red Sox 12-3 on June 28, kicking off the Panthers' current win streak.

Kitchener has nabbed recent success with big contributions from Nick Parsons (.317 AVG, hits in 11 straight games), Spenser Ross (.384 AVG in 18 GP) and newly minted all-stars Jett Jarvis and Raul Gonzalez, just to name a few.

UPCOMING GAMES