Red Sox Win Quarterfinals, Advance to Semis

by B. Young

The Brantford Red Sox went 0-5 vs. the Kitchener Panthers during the 2021 regular season. But the Sox managed to defeat the Panthers when it mattered the most, in game 1 of their quarterfinals series on Thursday night. The best of 3 format being used by the IBL for the quarterfinals and semifinals this year provides the opportunity for upsets, and Brantford was hoping to take advantage of this on Game 2 in Brantford on Saturday night.

Brantford once again came out swinging, loading the bases and scoring 2 in the first inning. That score would hold until the 4th inning. Kitchener had a pair of runners on base but Brantford appeared to get out of trouble with a strikeout for out number 3 - however a dropped ball and missed throwdown to first and just like that the game was tied 2-2.

Fortunately Brantford would break the deadlock in the 6th when Zach Lampreia drove in Jacob Reid for the go-ahead run. The Red Sox would add on much needed insurance in the 8th, when after loading the bases Liam Sutherland brought home Lampreia. Kitchener could not respond and Brantford wins by a final score of 4-2, winning the best of 3 series 2 games to 0.

The story of the game for Brantford was starter Adam Jafine. Jafine threw a complete game 4 hitter, allowing just 2 runs (0 earned) while striking out 16 Kitchener batters. Every Red Sox batter reached base at least once in a now-typical big team effort at the plate.

This is Brantford's first postseason series win since 2017 when they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs. Brantford now moves on to the semifinals to face the 1st place London Majors. Series schedule will be announced in the upcoming days.

Red Sox Win Quarterfinals, Advance to Semis

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