WEEK AHEAD: Panthers seek first win of 2024

KITCHENER - Things haven't looked all that great for the Kitchener Panthers to start 2024.

Losers of their first four games, outscored 45-17 in those games including a 27-6 defeat to Guelph last Sunday, the team can only go up from here.

Despite the results, there were some positives to take away.

Yadian Martinez is having a great start to the 2024 season. In two starts, the Cuban right hander is positioned among the better pitchers in the league, sporting a 1.93 ERA in 14 innings of work, nabbing 20 strikeouts to just two walks.

Those 20 strikeouts lead the IBL, doubling the next best output for hurlers on the hill.

On offense, Kitchener has only gotten better with time, but had trouble holding a 7-1 lead Wednesday in Toronto.

Standouts with the bat include Jorden Carthy and Jett Jarvis, both with a .333 batting average. 

There is also Yunior Ibarra, who cranked a grand slam home run over the fence at Christie Pits Wednesday. It took the Panthers until the first round of the playoffs last year for the team's first grand slam of 2023.

They'll have their work cut out for them this week, beginning with a trip to Labatt Park in London Friday night against the 4-0 Majors. 

The Panthers return home Sunday to host the Brantford Red Sox.

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

GAMES THIS WEEK