Tensions between the Barrie Baycats (23-17) and Kitchener Panthers (16-23) rose once again, but Barrie emerged victorious after a 4-1 win Saturday at Athletic Kulture Stadium.
Multiple Panthers personnel were ejected July 19 when the Panthers were in Barrie last. In that game, warnings were issued to both dugouts after batters were hit by pitches.
The Barrie-Kitchener matchup would occur in the first round of the IBL Playoffs if the standings hold.
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| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2 |
 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | x | 4 | 5 | 0 |
Clayton Keyes and Tristan Clarke each had RBI singles in the first inning, while the Baycats got some help from the Panthers' defense to add on.
Adam Odd reached on an error by Evan Elliott, which allowed Nolan Machibroda to score. Then, Panthers catcher Yunior Ibarra's throw to second base on Odd's stolen base attempt sailed into center field, which allowed Clarke to score.
However, after an eight-batter first inning, Barrie only had four batters reach base safely the rest of the game.
The game begun to get contentious in the fifth inning when Baycats starter Juan Benítez hit Panthers left fielder Mateo Zeppieri, and both started jawing at each other. The umpiring crew issues warnings after the benches cleared.
"We thought the left fielder was stealing signs," Francisco Hernandez said postgame. "I don't know if it was intentional or not."
Zeppieri was noticeably making signals to Panthers hitters while he was on second base their last game at Athletic Kulture Stadium.
"[Zeppieri] thought it was intentional," Baycats manager Josh Matlow said postgame. "Went out there, a few guys got heated, and then it was obvious that they were trying to retaliate."
Brandon Hernandez led off the bottom of the fifth, and took two pitches inside before gesturing and starting to walk toward Elliott. Home plate umpire Kyle Warriner had to hold Hernandez back from Elliott.
As the dust started to settle, first base umpire Jeff Rose ejected Panthers manager Pete Kiefer from the dugout.
Hernandez had more words for Elliott after he was walked on four pitches.
The very next pitch hit Francisco Hernandez. Elliott was immediately ejected and the benches cleared again. Brandon Hernandez was eventually ejected despite not appearing aggressive in the moment.
As the two field umpires spoke with Matlow and Brandon Hernandez on one side of the field, then-acting Panthers manager Alberto Gonzalez was having a furious conversation with Warriner. He was ejected and needed to be pushed off the field by right fielder Yosvani Penalver.
Andy Vargas entered for Kitchener in place of Elliott, making his first relief appearance of the season. Him and teammate Dakota Parsons retired the next 12 Baycats hitters.
The Panthers only run came on a bases-loaded walk issued by Chris Nagorski in the seventh. It was the only inning Kitchener had a runner reach beyond second base.
"Pitching was really on point," Matlow said. "We got the win, but it'd be nice to see some more offense throughout the game."
Benítez finished his start after six shutout innings and allowed seven hits, two walks, and had four strikeouts.
#10 RETIRED
Pregame, the Baycats retired the jersey number of franchise great Glenn Jackson. He his the fifth former Baycat to have his number retired. The careers of Brad Bissell, Jeff Cowan, Angus Roy, and Ryan Spataro were celebrated in 2024.
Jackson joined the game's television broadcast and expressed his appreciation for the Baycats community and praised Ryan Rijo, who called him earlier this year to tell him about the honour.
"They don't make players like Glenn Jackson anymore," Matlow said about his former teammate. "He's a legend here and he deserves his name up there."
UP NEXT
Cesar Rosado (4-4, 4.72 ERA) will start for Barrie at home Saturday against the Hamilton Cardinals.
"It'll be good for us to take care of ourselves and get in the right mindset to finish strong," Matlow said. "Those last two games will matter."
The Panthers are on the road Thursday in Welland to take on the Jackfish.
