Burton sends Panthers to semifinals

KITCHENER – Brian Burton's no-doubt home run to centre-field in the bottom of the ninth sent the Kitchener Panthers to the IBL semifinals after a 3-1 Game 5 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Jack Couch Park.

Kitchener took the best-of-seven series 4-1 and will face Hamilton in the second round.

Burton ended the two-hour-and-four-minute game by connecting on a 1-0 pitch off Toronto reliever Justin Cicatello.

Tanner Nivins had two of Kitchener's five hits.

On the mound, Brady Schnarr (1-0) earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief. Schnarr allowed a hit and a walk while striking out four.

Jasvir Rakkar went seven innings, giving up a run on four hits with nine punchouts.

For Toronto, Zac Orchard hit a solo home run, while Justin Marra went 2-for-4.

Cicatello (1-1) went one-third of an inning, giving up two runs on two hits. Starter Chris Leroux struck out 10 over eight innings. He allowed a run on three hits.