Kush Dazzles Again as Royals Continue Undefeated Start to Season
GUELPH - The pitching is alright.
Led by another brilliant day by the pitching staff, the Guelph Royals defeated the Kitchener Panthers 5-1 on Saturday afternoon to improve to 4-0 on the season.
With the loss, the Panthers drop to 2-6 on the season.
Guelph starter Jacob Kush continued his early season brilliance, pitching six shutout innings while striking Kitchener batters.
The Guelph native allowed just two hits, walking none.
Guelph designated hitter Josh Garton continued his early season tear, reaching base in all three plate appearances, going two-for-two with a walk.
Kitchener starter Dakota Parsons took the loss, allowing five earned runs on five hits and five walks in five and-a-third innings pitched.
KITCHENER - 1-3-0
GUELPH - 5-7-1
BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME: Up 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh, Royals centre fielder JD Williams hit a two-run home run to extend the Royals lead to four.
The third-year Royal has three home runs on the season, tying his season total from a year ago in 32 fewer games.
BY THE NUMBERS...
.705: Garton is now batting .750 on the season, fresh off being named IBL Player of the Week.
2.25: The Royals now have a team ERA of 2.25, the best mark in the league, over a full run less than the next closest team, that being the Barrie Baycats.
3. Three innings of one-run ball from Kush and relievers Hector Yan and Kyle Thomas, with the Panthers only a run coming from a fielders choice in the top of the eighth inning off Yan.
LOOKING AHEAD...
The Royals wrap up their weekend against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday afternoon at Christie Pits.
First pitch is set for 2:00 pm.