Panthers battle back in Toronto

Photo Credit - Glenn Rodger Photography

TORONTO – Kitchener battled back from a pair of two-run deficits to beat Toronto 6-5 in both teams’ IBL opener on Sunday at Christie Pits.  

Arthur Kowara went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI for the Panthers, who trailed 2-0 and 4-2 early in the game. Kitchener scored three in the sixth inning to take the lead and then scored the winning run across in the eighth when Kowara went deep. 

Trent Lawson went 3-for-4 with an RBI and stolen base, and Yunior Ibarra had two hits and an RBI.  

Yadian Martinez (1-0) earned the win on the mound after yielding three runs on six hits over five innings. He walked two and fanned five. Yankiel Mauris struck out two of three batters he faced for the save. Panthers’ starter Andy Vargas threw the first three innings and gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits with four walks and five strikeouts.  

Dennis Dei Baning hit a two-run blast for the Leafs. Marcus Knecht and Mike Cecchetto each drove in a run, and Rando Moreno singled twice and scored.  

Jeremy Newton took the loss in relief, giving up a run on two hits in 1.2 innings. He struck out a batter. Ayami Sato started and tossed two scoreless innings with a strikeout.