Leafs strike back at home in Game 3

TORONTO – After dropping the first two games on the road, the Toronto Maple Leafs took advantage of home field in a 12-7 win over the Kitchener Panthers Sunday afternoon at Christie Pits.

Kitchener leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.

Marcus Knecht went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI to lead the Leafs' 18-hit attack. Ryan Santos singled and doubled and scored four times while swiping a pair of bases, Justin Marra drove in two runs, Jonathan Solazzo singled twice and scored twice and added an RBI, Cooper Lamb went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run, Damon Topolie singled twice and drove in three, and Dan Marra picked up a trio of hits. 

Justin Cicatello (1-0) went eight innings for the win, surrendering seven runs (three earned) on 12 hits with two walks and four strikeouts. 

Liam Wilson went 3-for-4 with two RBI for the Panthers, who held leads of 5-1 and 6-3 until the Leafs reeled off eight straight runs. Colin Gordner and Mike Gordner each had two hits, a run and an RBI, Yorbis Borroto scored twice, and Zach Johnson and Mike Andrulis had an RBI apiece. 

Christian Hauck (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on one hit with a walk in one-third of an inning. Yoen Socarras started and went five innings, giving up five runs on 10 hits with three walks and six strikeouts.