Majors offence explodes for 16 runs

Written by Ty White/Photo by Matt Hiscox

In their first game after the All-Star festivities in Welland, the London Majors soar past the Kitchener Panthers in a whopping 16-13 final. 

Prior to yesterday’s contest, the Majors had yet to beat the Panthers, having dropped the last three games to the Panthers while being outscored 25-8 across all battles. 

Sunday’s matinee proved to be an epic battle of the bats, with the lead constantly shifting as a result of whichever hot hand was at the plate. It was an offensive barnburner that saw 29 combined runs scored from 31 total hits. 

A thrilling back and forth affair had the Panthers up by two, leading 10-8 entering the bottom of the seventh inning. However, the Majors miraculously were able to string together one of their best bottom innings of the season, scoring a monster eight runs on seven hits to rocket ahead by six. London’s lead would never shift back in Kitchener’s direction and was solidified with a Champ Garner double that drove in two. 

The Majors had a plethora of key performers that got them over the line. 2024 All-Star talent came in clutch, with Kaiden Carsoso going four for five on the day, with three stolen bases and an RBI. Eduardo De Oleo, Champ Garner, Tyler Mosher, and Gibson Krzeminski each tallied multiple hits on the day. Perhaps the surprise star effort of the game came from Brad Verhoeven, the eight hitter in the Majors order. Verhoeven’s heroics added up significantly for London, driving in four runs on three hits. 

The icing on the cake for the Majors offence was their plate discipline and baserunning tenacity, totalling six respective walks and stolen bases. 

In Kitchener’s first trip to London since late May, they too had a prolific offensive performance with 15 hits. Their leadoff man, Blake Jacklin, amassed four hits in five at bats for the Panthers. Raul Gonzalez had an efficient day as well, with four RBIs to his name. A.J. Karosis went deep in the third with his first career homer with the Panthers organization. 

Despite their more than respectable offence scoring 30 runs over the last two outings, the Panthers have no wins to show for it. This defeat was the fifth time the Panthers allowed a minimum of 16 runs in a single game this season. 

Pitching was lacklustre for both sides to say the least. Each bullpen was put to good use as 11 different arms made an appearance on the mound. 

London started ace Travis Keys, who was uncharacteristically relieved in the second inning after allowing six hits and four earned runs. The Majors also saw relief from Daniel Gore, Christian Coombes, Skylar Janisse, Johnathan Henry, and Braeden Ferrington. Henry earned the win after only pitching one inning. 

Kitchener started Kale Murray for the first time this season, as Jose Vasquez arrived late to the game and went on to pitch four innings. Adam Robertson took the loss in relief . 

The Majors at long last earned their first win against the Panthers this year, moving their current win streak to four. An impressive bounceback for Roop Chanderdat’s side considering they had lost three consecutive games prior to this current array of wins. They remain second in the IBL standings. 

The Majors will host the last place Toronto Maple Leafs this Friday, in the first game of a home and home series across three days. London should look upon this series with an optimistic eye, as they possess a favourable opportunity to increase their win streak to six games against a struggling Toronto side.