Hounds tame Panthers in come-from-behind win

The Garson Hounds moved a step closer to clinching the No. 1 seed following the round-robin playoff schedule in Quentin Seeley Remax Fastball League post-season play, improving to 3-0 with a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Panthers.

Leading 3-0 after four innings of play, the Panthers were unable to hang on, as Eric Legendre sparked the Garson rally, belting a two-run home run deep over the left-field fence in the fifth.

Starting pitcher John Ainslie ultimately provided his own margin of victory one inning later, plating both the tying and game-winning runs with a two-run triple. Ainslie went the distance on the mound, scattering six hits and striking out a pair.

Brad Matheson also tossed a complete game in a losing cause, touched for eight hits while fanning six batters. Bryan Welsh enjoyed a 2/2 evening at the dish for the Hounds, while Matheson smacked a pair of doubles for the Panthers.

The rally caps were back in force for the nightcap as well, with the Dog House spotting the Sudbury Aquatech North Stars a 5-1 lead before storming back to earn a 5-5 tie.

Jonathan Contin (Dog House) and Carter Joncas faced off in the pitching duel, with Contin striking out seven to increase his post-season lead to 27, averaging nine a game.

Jesse St Cyr smashed a double and triple for the North Stars, while Dan Quesnel led the Dog House with a 3-for-4 performance.

Playoff action resumes Thursday night in Garson at the Lorne Brady Memorial Park, with the North Stars facing the Dog House at 7 p.m., while the Hounds look to run the table in the nightcap against the Panthers.

The matchups will lead right into another fun-filled weekend of fastball action as Parry Island plays host to the All-Ontario Native Fastball Tournament from Aug. 22-24.