Jackfish take 2-1 series lead after erupting for 30 runs in two games

By ROD MAWHOOD

What a difference a couple of days can make.

After dropping Game 1 of their opening round playoff series against the Kitchener Panthers by a score of 3-2 in 10 innings last Thursday night, the Jackfish have outscored the Panthers 30-2 over the next two games to take a 2-1 best of five lead heading into Kitchener Tuesday night.

Welland walloped Kitchener 14-1 on the road Friday evening, followed by a 16-1 win Saturday at home.

"A little bit of a wake-up call in Game 1," Jackfish Manager Brian Essery said.

Catcher Robert Mullen led the way Saturday going 3-for-4 with a grand slam, and five runs batted in, while Ethan Hunt moving a spot up in the batting order went 2-for-4 with two RBI.

"The bats have come alive in the past two games, which we were confident they would," Essery said.

Panamanian hurler Enrique Saldana picked up the win Saturday, pitching eight innings of two-hit baseball.

"We've continued to have strong pitching throughout the series," explained Essery.

Next up, a Game 1 pitching rematch between Ben Abram and Cuban Yadian Martinez who held Welland to just two runs.

"We'll be ready to go Tuesday, we know it won't be easy and they'll be ready to go as well." Essery added.