Cannons Force Game Three With 7-4 Win Over Panthers

In need of a win to extend their appearance in the HSBN Fall Classic tournament, the Cannons scored early an often to clip the Panthers 7-4 on Thursday night at Coral Springs High School.

The Panthers and Cannons will play a winner-take-all Game Three at 5:30 p.m. today, with the winner advancing to Monday’s semifinals.

“It was very important to get off to a good start,” Cannons manager Nick James said. “I think we missed out on a lot of opportunities last night, so we needed to get off to a good start tonight.”

The Cannons did just that, as they jumped on the board early, scoring their first first-inning run of the series. Josh Viveros doubled with one out, stole third and scored on a wild pitch to give the Cannons the early edge.

The offense kept it going in the top of the third as it scored two more runs. After a walk and a miscue by the Panthers’ starting pitcher, Thomas Messer delivered with a two-run single but was thrown out trying to extend his single into a double.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Panthers roared back with a run of their own. Adam Saks doubled to left and Zach Kene singled to put runners on the corners with no one out. The next hitter, Chandler Cissel hit into a fielder’s choice, scoring Saks to cut the lead to two. After a strikeout, Matt Rothenberg doubled to put two runners in scoring position. However, Weston Clemente wiggled out of the jam, inducing an inning-ending fly out, keeping at 3-1.

The Cannons extended their lead to three as they scored a run in the top of the fourth. Daniel Donofrio delivered with an RBI single, scoring Jake Dudas, who singled earlier in the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Panthers came within inches from taking their first lead of the game. Weston Clemente maxed out at three and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs and striking out four. With Clemente out of the game, the Panthers scored twice on wild pitches.

However, it was Nick Gauntner that left the lasting impression on the frame, as he robbed a potential two-run home run from Cissel to keep it at 4-3.

The Cannons widen their lead in sixth inning, scoring three runs on two hits. Two of the first three batters reached, as Donofrio stepped up to plate with runners on second and third. An intentional walk set up Clemente with the bases loaded. He delivered with a bases-clearing double, giving the Cannons a 7-3 cushion.

“I didn’t expect to get a fastball to hit,” Clemente said. “I thought I was going to get all off speed, so I was looking for something up in the zone. Luckily, I got a good fastball to hit.”

The Panthers had a choice to pitch to Donofrio, but chose to pitch to the lefty.

“We are a good double-play team,” Panthers manager Glen Pierson said. “We were setting up the double play to get to the next inning. We knew he would be a tough hitter, but we needed a double post in that situation.”

Clemente made the Panthers pay, and Donofrio closed it out in the sixth to hold off the Panthers.

Donofrio picked up the save, tossing two scoreless frames and picking up three strikeouts.

“This is a very important tournament for us, and we know we can win it if we play like we know how,” Clemente said.

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