Panthers enter playoffs on a high

HAMILTON – Kitchener will head into playoffs on a winning note after Tuesday’s 8-2 victory in Hamilton.

Nathan Laird drove in two runs for the eighth-place Panthers (14-28), who open playoffs against Welland. Nolan Misa, Raul Gonzalez and Jorden Carthy all had two hits and an RBI, Spenser Ross and Liam McTague added an RBI apiece, while Spencer Voisin went 3-for-5 with two runs.

Panthers’ starting pitcher Ryan Burnside (1-0) scattered six hits and two walks over five scoreless innings for the win.

Brendon Daly went 2-for-4 for Hamilton (18-24), which will face London or Guelph in the first round. Tyler Duncan added two singles and a triple.

Colby Ring (0-3) suffered the loss after yielding six runs (five earned) on four hits in 5.1 innings. He walked eight and struck out three.