The Simla Cubs will challenge the Kiowa Indians at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Simla's pitching crew heads into the contest hoping to repeat the dominance they displayed on Tuesday. They put the hurt on Custer County with a sharp 16-0 win. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for the Cubs considering their two-run performance the game before.
Wyatt Stanko
| 04/15/25 @ Custer County | 7 |
| 04/02/25 vs Cripple Creek-Victor | 6 |
| 04/12/25 @ Peyton | 3 |
| 03/25/25 vs Limon | 2 |
| 03/22/25 @ Akron | 2 |
Wyatt Stanko and Tatum Kocerha were a major factor no matter where they played. On the mound, Stanko struck out seven batters over 2.2 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and not a single walk). Meanwhile, Kocerha tossed 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. Those seven strikeouts gave Stanko a new career-high. At bat, Stanko scored three runs and stole four bases while going 2-for-4, while Kocerha scored two runs and stole three bases while going 1-for-4. Simla is undefeated when Stanko posts two or more runs, but 2-4 otherwise.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Treven Kocerha, who scored three runs and stole two bases while going 3-for-4. He is becoming a predictor of Simla's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 2-4 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Keygon Frihauf, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-3.
Meanwhile, Kiowa hadn't done well against Elbert recently (they were 1-7 in their previous eight matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Tuesday. The Indians blew past the Bulldogs 20-13. The game was the first time the Indians have beaten the Bulldogs on their field since April 25, 2017.
Like Simla, Kiowa also got a great game from a two-way player: Rowan Golden. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over four innings while giving up three earned runs off three hits. Golden was even better at the plate, scoring five runs and stealing a base while getting on base in four of his six plate appearances.
In other batting news, Kiowa got a massive performance out of Thade Montgemery, who got on base in four of his six plate appearances with five RBI, two runs, and one stolen base. The team also got some help courtesy of Jd Brewer, who scored two runs while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances.
Kiowa was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .387. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
Kiowa's victory bumped their record up to 5-6. As for Simla, their win bumped their record up to 6-4.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Simla has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Kiowa struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.5 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Simla took their victory against Kiowa when the teams last played back in May of 2024 by a conclusive 16-1 score. Will the Cubs repeat their success, or do the Indians have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
