Panthers roar back to hammer Majors

KITCHENER – The Kitchener Panthers scored 21 straight runs to turn an early deficit into a 22-5 blowout win over the London Majors Thursday night at Jack Couch Park.

Kitchener (3-1) trailed 5-1 before scoring 10 runs in the fifth, two in the sixth and nine in the seventh.

Tanner Nivins went 3-for-5 with a home run, five RBI and three runs. Zach Johnson had four hits, two RBI and two runs, Zarley Cina went 3-for-4 with two doubles, three runs and two RBI, Ryley Davenport singled twice and homered while driving in two and scoring twice, Brian Burton drilled a solo home run, Colin Gordner picked up three hits, two runs and a pair of RBI, Stephen Whalen drove in two and scored twice, Mike Andrulis went 3-for-6 with three runs and two RBI, and Keegan Marsden added a run and an RBI.

Brady Schnarr (1-0) benefitted from the offence and earned the win despite allowing five runs on nine hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out one.

Austin Hassani earned the unusual save after throwing four innings of scoreless, two-hit ball. He walked one and struck out four.

Byron Reichstein and Mike Ambrose each hit a two-run shot for the Majors, who dropped to 1-4. Phillip Thrappas went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and scored twice, Kyle Gormandy had three hits, and Jonathan Duforest singled twice and scored once.

Ismael Pena (1-2) took the loss, allowing eight runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings. He walked one and struck out three.