Crown Point, IN- The Panthers and Corn Dogs Series was split 1-1 going into Saturday’s contest. The Panthers had the challenge of facing the Corn Dogs for the second night in a row, notably coming off of a 13-3 defeat. The Corn Dogs won Saturday’s contest in a completely different fashion. A walk-off solo homer in the bottom of the ninth was all the Corn Dogs needed to add a storybook win to an already magical season.

Jaden Jones got the start and absolutely dominated an exceptional Corn Dogs’ lineup. Jones had a phenomenal eight inning outing where he did not allow a run and only walked one. Jones also had six strikeouts in his start. Jones did not allow an extra base hit as all five of the hits he let up were singles. The Panthers defense was also perfect as they did not commit a single error in the field. 

Unfortunately, for the second straight day, the Panthers offense could not figure out the Corn Dogs’ pitching staff. The Panthers lineup only collected four hits and struck out eight times. The Panthers, who are last in the league in walks, did not draw a single walk. The Panthers also did not get a single extra base hit as Robert Tate had three of the four Panther singles on the night in his 3-4 night. 

Brendan Meyers came in to relief trying to help the Panthers win after Jones’ incredible start, but the first batter of the inning was one of the hottest bats in the Northern League. Hayden Matulich stepped up to the plate and sent everyone home with a rocket home run over the left field fence for one of the most dramatic walk-off winners in the Northern League. 

This loss was the Panthers’ fourth loss in a row. Three of those losses have come from a walk-off. The Panthers have gotten very strong performances from their starting pitching as of late. The problem is their offense as they have scored five runs in their last 38 innings of play.