The Lyons Lions will square off against the Peyton Panthers at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.
Lyons not only won on Friday, but they posted their biggest win since May 1, 2025 (when they won 17-2). They were the clear victors by a 12-2 margin over Platte Canyon. Considering the Lions' hitters had been struggling lately, the high-scoring outing was a much-needed turnaround.
Kaion Kishiyama
| 03/27/26 vs Platte Canyon | 8 |
| 03/28/25 vs Platte Canyon | 5 |
| 05/10/25 @ Dawson School | 3 |
| 03/05/26 @ Liberty Common | 2 |
| 03/13/26 vs Forge Christian | 1 |
Kaion Kishiyama made a big impact while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out eight batters over four innings while giving up just two earned runs off two hits. Those eight strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs. That hit was his first of the season.
Lyons always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .605. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
The home team had come away the winner the last four times Peyton and Ellicott had met, but sadly for the fans who attended this one that wasn't the case. The Panthers put the hurt on the Thunderhawks with a sharp 17-9 win on Thursday. The Panthers' hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Like Lyons, Peyton also got a great game from a two-way player: Brayden Nonaka. He pitched three innings while giving up just one earned run but no hits. Nonaka was also big at the plate, getting on base in five of his six plate appearances with two stolen bases and two runs.
In other pitching news, Zayden Ebbert and Bryce Love dominated on the mound. Ebbert went 5-for-6 with two stolen bases, five RBI, and two runs, while Love went 3-for-5 with three runs, two doubles, and two RBI.
Back at the plate, Trent Gregg was incredible, going 4-for-5 with four runs, two stolen bases, and two RBI. Tai Kapu was another key player, getting on base in three of his six plate appearances with three RBI, one run, and one double.
Peyton pushed their record up to 3-1 with the victory, which was their sixth straight on the road dating back to last season. Those road wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 12.7 runs over those games. As for Lyons, their victory (their first of the season) made their record 1-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Saturday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Lyons has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.2 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Peyton struggles in that department as they've been averaging 12.5 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Lyons came up short against Peyton in their previous matchup back in March of 2025, falling 9-4. Can the Lions avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
