Panthers win close one

HAMILTON – Yoen Socarras struck out 12 over seven dominant innings to lead the Kitchener Panthers to a 2-0 win over Hamilton in Game 3 of their semifinal Friday night at Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium.
 Kitchener leads the best-of-seven series 3-0 and can advance to the final against Barrie with a win Saturday night at Jack Couch Park. 
 Socarras (1-0) scattered two hits and walked one. Brady Schnarr retired the final six batters for his first save of the playoffs. He didn't allow a hit and walked one. 
 Kitchener scored both of its runs in the fifth on Tanner Nivins' sacrifice fly and Liam Wilson's RBI single. 
 For Hamilton, Justin Gideon doubled and Jon Dziomba singled. 
 Ben Braun (1-1) took the loss, allowing two unearned runs on three hits in six innings. He walked five and struck out three.