Baycats use longball to beat Panthers

KITCHENER – Hayden Jaco’s grand slam in the third inning was the first of four Barrie home runs and sparked the Baycats’ offence in a 10-5 win over Kitchener at Jack Couch Field.

Nolan Machibroda hit a three-run blast, and Ryan Rijo and Brandon Hernandez each hit solo home runs. Hernandez finished with four hits and also stole a base. Canice Ejoh went 2-for-5 with an RBI, and Rick Phillips singled twice and scored twice.

Juan Benitez (4-0) allowed an earned run on five hits over seven innings. He walked one and struck out two.

Barrie improved to 16-8.

Raul Gonzalez hit a two-run blast for the Panthers (10-16). Nick Parsons and Yunior Ibarra both added solo shots. Spenser Ross and Tyler Hinrikus had three hits and a run apiece, and AJ Karosas drove in a run.

Jose Vasquez (3-4) took the loss, yielding eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits in 3.2 innings. He struck out three.