Ibarra’s blast sends Panthers past Jackfish

WELLAND – Yunior Ibarra’s home run with one out in the top of the ninth gave the Kitchener Panthers a 3-2 win Wednesday in Welland.

The Panthers’ catcher finished with two hits, as did teammate Andy Leader.

Yamichel Perez (5-2) picked up the win on the mound, allowing two runs on seven hits over eight innings. He struck out seven and walked two. Brady Schnarr threw a scoreless ninth to earn his second save.

Kitchener improved to 21-13.

Jackfish starter Ben Abram (1-1) went the distance, giving up three runs (one earned) on seven hits. He also struck out seven and walked two.

Matteo Porcellato hit a solo home run for Welland (24-8). Sam Cawker added an RBI double.

Six-run ninth lifts Baycats to victory

TORONTO – A six-run ninth inning propelled the Barrie Baycats to a 12-10 win over Toronto on Wednesday at Christie Pits.

Trailing 8-6 and down to their last three outs, the Baycats sent 11 batters to the plate to pull ahead.

Josh Cote drove in three runs, including a pair in the decisive inning. Canice Ejoh added a two-run single in the ninth. Noel McGarry-Doyle and Malik Williams each had two hits, an RBI and a run. Hayden Jaco drove in a run and scored twice.

Chris Cox (1-1) picked up the win in relief, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and five walks. He struck out one in 3.1 innings. Juan Benitez started and went 4.2 innings. He gave up six runs on 10 hits with four walks and four strikeouts.

Jordan Castaldo led the Leafs’ offence with three hits, including a home run, and three RBI. He scored three times. Garrett Takamatsu hit a two-run blast, Jose Vinicio drove in a run on two hits and scored twice, Johnathan Solazzo picked up two hits and scored four runs, Connor Lewis went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Ryan Dos Santos and Aidan McAskie each drove in a run.

Julian Valdez (2-6) took the loss, surrendering four runs on four hits in two-thirds of an inning. He walked one and struck out two. Toronto starter Jesse Hodges lasted five innings and allowed three runs on four hits with four walks and four strikeouts.

The win was Barrie’s fourth straight, and the second-place Baycats moved to 22-10. Fourth-place Toronto dropped to 16-15.