Panthers win wild home opener

KITCHENER – Kitchener dug itself out of an early hole in its home opener on Sunday against Chatham-Kent and then hung on for an 11-10 win at Jack Couch Park.  

Yosvani Penalver hit one of Kitchener’s five home runs and drove in three as the Panthers improved to 2-1. Penalver’s first longball of the season came with two runners on base in the eighth inning to break an 8-8 tie. Kitchener trailed 6-1 after two innings.  

Arthur Kowara and A.J. Karosas each drilled two-run homers for the home side, while Nick Parsons and Yunior Ibarra added solo shots.  

Nicolas KyRose had two hits and an RBI, and Yordan Manduley also drove in a run.  

Danny Garcia (1-0) recorded two outs in relief to earn the win on the mound. He struck out one. Yankiel Mauris survived a ninth-inning scare for save. He allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and stranded the tying run at second base.  

Andy Vargas started and went five innings, giving up seven runs on seven hits with five walks and 11 strikeouts.  

Sadler Goodwin drilled a two-run home run for the Barnstormers (1-1). Spencer Marcus and Spencer Morin each had two hits and an RBI, Yushin Ohta drove in a run on two hits, while Torrin Vaselenak, Owen Constantineau and Trent Sillett all drove in a run. 

Sam McKinlay (0-1) took the loss after yielding two runs (one earned) in one-third of an inning. He replaced starting pitcher Mizuki Akatsuka, who went seven innings and allowed eight runs (six earned) on 11 hits. He walked three and fanned four.