Barnstormers erupt late to blow out Panthers

CHATHAM – A nine-run eighth inning blew open a close game and gave Chatham-Kent a 16-5 victory over Kitchener on Friday night at Fergie Jenkins Field.

Seth Strong hit his league-leading eighth home run and drove in two. Daniel Battel went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs, Robert Mackie had two RBI on two hits, Spencer Marcus, Mitsuki Fukuda and Jalen Butcher each drove in two, while Lee Kucera, Anthony Polowick and Braxton Haggith all collected two hits and an RBI.

Brock Whitson (1-0) pitched five innings for the win. Two of the three runs he allowed were earned. He also scattered five hits and struck out four.

Sean Skorupski hit a solo home run for the Panthers (3-12). Raul Gonzalez, Justin Skorupski and Nolan Misa drove in the other runs.

Yadian Martinez (1-2) allowed 11 runs (10 earned) on 10 hits over seven innings. He walked three and fanned nine.