Jackfish blow early lead in loss to Panthers

By ROD MAWHOOD • Photo by Brandon Taylor

The Welland Jackfish opened a 5-0 second inning only to lose 10-5 to the Kitchener Panthers. 

Jackfish Manager Brian Essery certainly didn't mince his words minutes after the contest. 

"We weren't good after the second inning - really poor performance collectively as a team," Essery said. "We didn't compete tonight." Essery admits his team, despite still sitting in first place in the Intercounty Baseball League with a (14-4) record, has been struggling with their starting pitching. 

"Four of the last five we had poor starting pitching. We can't keep using our bullpen. Things have to change with our pitching." 

Luis Jean and James Smibert both had two hits apiece in defeat for the Fish. Smibert raised his season batting average to .410 in the loss. 

Welland visits London Friday before hosting Barrie Saturday night in a first-place, Canada Day, post-game fireworks showdown. 

Tickets are on sale now at wellandjackfish.com