Panthers win 4-3
Things were looking pretty foxy for the Toronto Maple Leafs last night.
In a closely fought game at Jack Couch Park in Kitchener, they took an early lead and held it for most of the night. The badass, big bashing Panthers were kept in check.
Johnathan Solazzo had struck early with a two-run homer -- the only round tripper of the game. The Leafs had tacked on another run in the 5th and it looked like they would hold on for a win. Starter Brett Van Pelt had given up only two runs in 5-plus innings. Leather had been flashed. Several key defensive plays come to mind, as outfielder Jon Waltenbury, infielder Connor Lewis, catcher Brendan Keys and even Van Pelt himself made great fielding plays to stifle the home side over seven innings.
Christian Botnick came on in relief and got the Leafs through to the 8th inning with a one-run lead. That was when the Panthers finally struck, scoring the tying and winning runs on a walk and two hits off of Dan Zlotnick.
After the game had been lost and the Leafs trudged through the damp, dark night to their awaiting charter flight back to Toronto, they could only reflect on lost opportunities. Some key outs on the basepaths had kept them from scoring more runs -- runs that they could have used when the Panthers struck late, and outfoxed them for the win. That's baseball.
No time to dwell. The halfway point of the season is approaching. The Leafs will have a chance to get back into the win column with a doubleheader at Christie Pits this Sunday against the 1-12 Guelph Royals.
Game Recap:
Starters Ryan Holda and Brett Van Pelt squared off at Jack Couch Park in Kitchener, on a night that featured menacing clouds and some light rain.
Each pitcher got through the first inning unscathed, but the Toronto Maple Leafs got on the board first. Leftfielder Raul Borjas reached first on an error, and then third baseman Johnathon Solazzo homered to give the Leafs a 2-0 lead after two innings.
In the bottom of the 4th, Panthers centerfielder Tanner Nivins singled off Van Pelt, then scored on a double by shortstop Mike Glinka. 2-1 Leafs after the 4th inning.
The Leafs scratched out another run in the next inning. Centerfielder and IBL batting leader Tyler Mitchell singled to lead off. Catcher Brendan Keys was up next, and he reached first on an error as Mitchell advanced to third. Keys then stole second, but Mitchell was caught on the basepaths and tagged out before he could get back to third. Shortstop Connor Lewis then singled to advance Keys to third, and Keys would come in to score on a play when Lewis stole second. When the dust settled, the Leafs had a 3-1 lead after five innings.
Kitchener got one back in the 6th. Catcher Rick Murray doubled to lead off, then scored on a single by DH Sean Reilly, who was tagged out at second. 3-2 Leafs after six innings.
Christian Botnick carried the Leafs into the 8th inning and handed the ball over to Dan Zlotnick. Murray walked to start the inning, but was out at second when Reilly hit into a fielder's choice. Zlotnick then struck out Nivins for the second out. First baseman and IBL RBI leader David Whiteside then doubled to score Reilly and tie the game. Glinka followed with a single that brought Whiteside home and the Panthers took a 4-3 lead after eight innings.
Phil Owen came in to pitch a 1-2-3 9th for the save and a 4-3 final for Kitchener.
Toronto 3-8-1
Kitchener 4-11-2
W - Vickers (1-0, 5.40)
L - Zlotnick (0-3, 5.87)
S - Owen (2)
BOXSCORE
The Leafs are now 7-7 and 5.5 games behind the Barrie Baycats, who are riding an eight-game winning streak. The Leafs are back at Christie Pits this Sunday, June 21 for a doubleheader against the Guelph Royals starting at 1:00 p.m.
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