Douglas Haunts Former Team as Panthers Edge Out Baycats

by Ryan Eakin

MIDHURST - On the wrong side of revenge.

The Kitchener Panthers defeated the Barrie Baycats 3-2 on Tuesday evening to improve to 5-1 on the season.

With the loss, the Baycats fall to 3-5 on the season.

Panthers reliever and former Baycat Jacob Douglas recorded the win in relief of his brother Ryan Douglas, tossing four and one-third in relief while allowing no hits and no base on balls.

Douglas, who was a member of the 2019 Baycats, struck out eight batters in what was an absolutely brilliant relief job.

Panthers third basemen Stephen Whalen led the way at the plate, going three-for-four while hitting the game-winning home run in the top of the eighth inning.

Baycats reliever Aidan Rossel took the loss despite having a nice relief outing of his own. The home run he allowed to Whalen was the lone base runner against Rossell in his two innings of work.

The southpaw struck out a pair of batters.

KITCHENER - 3-10-1

BARRIE - 2-3-2

BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME...

After two quick outs in the top of the eighth inning, Whalen's go-ahead, solo home run to right field was all the Panthers needed tonight to secure the win.

NICEST PLAY OF THE GAME...

With runners on the corner and one-out for the Panthers in the top of the fourth inning, Whalen stole second base. On the stolen base, however, Panthers second basemen AJ Karosas took a step off third base and was thrown out by Baycats' catcher Tyler Plumpton.

A heads-up play by Plumpton, who was not going to risk allowing Karosas to score from third base by trying to throw Whalen out at second base.

BY THE NUMBERS...

2. With one hit in today's ballgame, Baycats outfielder-turned-first basemen for tonight's game is now two hits away from 400 in his Intercounty Baseball League career.

7. For the first time this season, Baycats ace Juan Benitez pitched into the seventh inning. The Dominican right-hander took a no-decision while allowing nine hits and three bases on balls in seven innings of work.

NEWS FROM THE GAME...

- With Ryan Rijo away for tonight's game, Cowan got the start at first base.

Typically an outfielder, Cowan has filled in at first base for the Baycats sporadically throughout the years.

QUOTES FROM THE GAME...

Matlow on Benitez: "He showed grit and the killer instinct you need to get out of innings. He got himself into issues by allowing the lead-off guy to get on pretty much every inning as that obviously leads to the pitch total but in the grand schemes of things he got the outs but the bats didn't get it done."

Matlow on the sleepless Baycats offence: We just couldn't swing hits together. I'm afraid to look at the numbers with runners in scoring positions. We should have scored a few more runs for our pitchers, who pitched perfectly. They kept us in it. I just wish we could hit like we did last week."

NEXT UP...

The Baycats welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs and franchise legend and all-time home run king Jordan Castaldo to Coates Stadium on Thursday evening.

We ask fans to arrive at the ballpark at 7:25 if they want to watch our pregame ceremony for Castaldo, who returns to Barrie for the first time since rejoining the Maple Leafs.

For more information, follow the Baycats on Facebook and Twitter at @iblbaycats, on Instagram at @barriebaycats, and on Youtube at Barrie Baycats TV.

And remember to shop at our online shop by clicking here.

Lastly, remember that you can buy tickets to all of our home games here.

Photo: Bob Hurley/Bob Hurley Photography