The Kitchener Panthers celebrate after a victory at Jack Couch Park. (Photo by Dan Congdon)

Panthers salvage weekend with Sunday victory, tie Barrie for first in IBL

The Kitchener Panthers missed an opportunity to take advantage of a rare off-week by the Barrie Baycats, but did just enough to climb into a tie for first place with them in the Intercounty Baseball League.

On Friday night, the Panthers visited the Hamilton Cardinals for the first game of a three-game weekend. Kitchener's often-lethal bats ran into a hot pitcher as Chris Lazar held them to just one run on five hits while throwing a complete game for the victory. The Panthers scored their only run in the top of the fifth inning when Stephen Whalen came around to score from first base on an error. Hamilton responded in the bottom of the sixth with a three run inning and the Cards rode Lazar to the 3-1 win.

Saturday provided another tough match-up for Kitchener as the Panthers visited a red-hot Guelph Royals team. The fireworks began early as the teams combined for nine runs in the opening three innings, with Kitchener leading 5-4 heading into the fourth. The score would stay that way until the bottom of the seventh, when Angel Villalona smacked a Mike Schnurr offering over the wall for a two-run shot that put Guelph ahead, 6-5. The Panthers could not find the equalizing run in the late innings and the Royals beat Kitchener for the first time this season.

Looking to avenge their Friday night defeat, the Panthers hosted Hamilton at Jack Couch Park on Sunday afternoon. Trailing 7-3 going into the bottom of the sixth inning, Kitchener's offense showed just how quickly it can strike. An RBI-single and a wild pitch made the score 7-5, then the IBL's hottest hitter stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded. Yorbis Borroto worked an 0-2 count before taking the third pitch he saw to deep left field for a grand slam, suddenly giving Kitchener a two-run lead. Keegan Marsden added an RBI-double the next inning and the Panthers stormed back for the 10-7 victory.

With their records now both at 15-5, the Panthers and Baycats are deadlocked for first place in the IBL. The two teams will meet this Thursday night in Barrie with the winner moving into sole possession of top spot.