Sox Find Positives in Loss to Panthers

BRANTFORD - The Brantford Red Sox are still not where they want to be in their so-far winless 2022 season, but the pieces needed for success are beginning to fall into place. The challenge for the Sox now is having enough pieces to put together for 9 innings.

Things started off well for Brantford on Wednesday night, with pitching and defence coming together to keep things scoreless through the first two innings agains the visiting Kitchener Panthers. And after giving up a pair of runs in the 3rd inning, Brantford responded with 3 of their own in the bottom half of the inning. After a scoreless 4th inning each team traded a single run in the 5th, and the Sox held a 4-3 lead going into the 6th inning. Arguably the best game of baseball played by Brantford this season since their 3-2 loss in Toronto on May 22.

Unfortunately for Brantford, the game of baseball is 9 innings long and this is where work still needs to be done. A lack of bullpen arms to turn to led to 5 Kitchener runs in the 6th inning. Wild pitches also gifted the Panthers with a pair of insurance runs in the 8th. Red Sox bats were also unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities in the second half of the game. Brantford stranded 9 runners in total on the night. Final score was 10-4.

For Brantford: Nick Burdett, entering the game with 999 career IBL at. bats, broke the 1000 AB milestone while contributing 2 hits and 2 RBI. Jon Dziomba also continued to swing a hot bat, with 3 hits, 2 RBI, plus a stolen base. On the mound, Hayden Stam pitched 1 and 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, striking out 2. Red Sox starter Bennett Moore was charged with the loss in a 94 pitch, 5 and 2/3 innings effort.

Brantford continues to shore up their roster, today signing right-handed starting pitcher Justin Rasmussen. Rasmussen, an llinois native and graduate of Bethel University, previously played with Utica in the United Shore Professional Baseball League. 

Brantford previously announced that their Friday July 1st Canada Day game vs. Hamilton has been changed to a 2 pm start time. Also, Brantford plays a makeup game for a previous rainout in Kitchener on Monday July 11 at 7:30 pm at Jack Couch Park.

Brantford's lone other game this week is on Friday night at 8 pm, hosting the Guelph Royals at Arnold Anderson Stadium. Advance tickets are available at brantfordredsox.com/tickets

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Established in 1911, the Brantford Red Sox have been an institution in the Southwestern Ontario community for over a century. The Brantford Red Sox are the most historically decorated active team in the Intercounty Baseball League, appearing in 27 finals and winning 15 IBL championships. 

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