Panthers Hand Baycats Gut-Wrenching Extra Innings Loss

by Ryan Eakin

MIDHURST - So close.

The Kitchener Panthers defeated the Barrie Baycats 6-5 in eleven innings on Thursday evening to cut the Baycats' best-of-seven series championship series lead to 3-2.

Panthers reliever Miguel Lahera recorded the victory, tossing two innings while giving up zero earned runs on two hits while striking out two batters along the way.

Panthers centre fielder Tanner Nivins led the way at the plate, going two-for-five with one base on ball.

Panthers scheduled game six starter Yoen Socarras recorded the save.

His two-run go-ahead double in the top of the eleventh inning gave the Panthers a 6-4 lead.

Baycats reliever Adam Hawes took the loss, tossing two and one-third of an inning while giving up zero earned runs on one hit and three bases on balls while striking out two batters.

KITCHENER - 6-8-0

BARRIE - 5-14-2

BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME: Baycats left fielder Jordan Cataldo grounding into an inning-ending double-play in the bottom of the tenth inning certainly stung, but Nivins' two-run, two-out double in the top of the eleventh inning was the difference-maker tonight.

NICEST PLAY OF THE GAME: With one-out in the top of the ninth inning, Panthers third basemen Colin Gordner hit a base hit off of the right-field fence.

He attempted to turn his base hit into a double but was thrown out at second base on a bullet of a throw from Baycats right fielder Ryan Spataro.

BY THE NUMBERS: 2. The number of errors made by the Baycats tonight.

0. The number of errors made by the Panthers tonight.

8. The Panthers used eight relievers into tonight's game five victory.

15. The number of runners the Baycats left on base tonight.

NEXT UP: Game six of this series takes place Saturday evening from Jack Couch Park in Kitchener.

First pitch is set for 7:00 PM.

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

And remember that you can buy tickets for all of our home games online HERE.

Photo: Brian Backland/Brian Backland Photography