Cardinals overcome 6-run deficit to beat Panthers

The Hamilton Cardinals roared back to beat the Kitchener Panthers 17-14 on Tuesday night at Jack Couch Park. 

The Cardinals took a 4-0 lead on homeruns in the first and second inning, both by leftfielder, Dennis Dei Baning. Dei Baning went four for five with five RBI’s and three runs in the game. 

Kitchener responded with four runs in the bottom of the second inning and added seven more in the fifth to make it 12-6 for the Panthers.

Josh Niles and Jacob Underwood both had monster nights as well, each hitting a homer. Niles went three for four with four RBI’s and Underwood also drove in three runs. 

In the top of the seventh inning, Hamilton scored a season-high nine runs and took a 16-12 lead.

Junior call-up, MacLean Van Raay, went three for five with three RBI’s in his first game this season.

Panthers’ leftfielder, Blake Jacklin, went three for six with four RBI’s and a homer. 

Cardinals shortstop, Luis Jean (.323 AVG), had a hit, two walks, three runs and four stolen bases in the contest.

Corben Peters improved his ERA to (1.80) after pitching another scoreless, three up, three down inning.

Hamilton outhit Kitchener 14-12 and made three less errors, 4-1. 

Julian Russell was credited with his first win of the year after pitching one and two thirds innings, giving up one earned run on one hit.  

Jose Fernandez (0.64 ERA) came in for the save in the ninth inning and was successful despite conceding his first run of the season. 

The Cardinals (11-28) play their next game on Thurs, Aug 18 at 7:30 p.m. against the Welland Jackfish (27-11) at Welland Stadium. 

Get your tickets for any Cardinals home game during the regular season through SeatGIANT.

The Hamilton Cardinals Baseball Club is a member of Canada's best league, the Intercounty Baseball League. The over 100-year old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world, established in 1919.

Written by Jarrett Matthews
Photo by Art Ward