The Ralston Valley Mustangs will head out to challenge the Boulder Panthers at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Each of these teams will be battling to keep a three-game winning streak alive.
Ralston Valley barely beat ThunderRidge the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Mustangs were the clear victors by a 14-8 margin over the Grizzlies on Thursday. While the Mustangs didn't have the best season last year (they finished 10-13), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.
Jake Watts
| 04/02/26 vs ThunderRidge | 2 |
| 03/25/26 vs Canby | 0 |
| 03/12/26 @ Castle View | 1 |
Ralston Valley got a great performance from Jake Watts as he struck out 12 batters over five innings while giving up just two earned (and three unearned) runs off two hits. Watts has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances.
At the plate, Mason Gilbreath and Bret Baldwin did most of the damage at the plate: Gilbreath went 2-for-3 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs, while Baldwin went 3-for-5 with three runs, three RBI, and one stolen base. That home run was Gilbreath's first of the season. Another player making a difference was Matt Hays, who went 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI.
Ralston Valley kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 16 hits. That's the most hits they've posted since back in April of 2025.
While Boulder didn't have the best season last year (they finished 9-14), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They never let Northglenn get on the board and left with a 15-0 win on Thursday. That 15-run margin sets a new team best for the Panthers this season.
Kai Paradise looked comfortable as he didn't allow a single earned run while striking out eight over four innings pitched. That's the most strikeouts he has posted since back in April of 2025.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Maks Matheson, who went 3-for-4 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in April of 2025. The team also got some help courtesy of Rowan Westfall, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Ralston Valley's record now sits at 7-1. As for Boulder, their record is now 6-2.
Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Saturday. Ralston Valley hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 1 home runs per game. However, it's not like Boulder struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 0.5 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.
Ralston Valley was able to grind out a solid victory over Boulder in their previous meeting back in March of 2025, winning 9-4. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Mustangs since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
