Peyton is a perfect 10-0 against Simla since April of 2017 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Saturday. The Panthers will venture away from home to square off against the Cubs at 10:00 a.m. After the two teams made easy work of their previous opponents, one won't be so lucky on Saturday.
Peyton will roll into the game after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up two runs on Saturday, then bounced right back against Byers on Thursday. The Panthers put the hurt on the Bulldogs with a sharp 16-10 victory. The win continues a trend for the Panthers in their matchups with the Bulldogs: they've now won seven in a row.
Zayden Ebbert
| 04/03/26 @ Mitchell | 4 |
| 03/20/26 vs Hoehne | 3 |
| 04/09/26 vs Byers | 2 |
| 03/26/26 @ Ellicott | 2 |
| 03/21/26 vs Sanford | 1 |
Zayden Ebbert and Bryce Love were major factors while hitting and pitching. On the mound, Ebbert tossed 1.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Love struck out seven batters over four innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off two hits. Ebbert has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than two walks in five consecutive appearances. At bat, Ebbert got on base in three of his five plate appearances with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base, while Love got on base in all five of his plate appearances with one home run, four runs, and one stolen base. Ebbert is becoming a predictor of Peyton's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 1-4 when he doesn't).
They weren't the only ones making solid contact as seven players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Brayden Nonaka, who went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs. He has become a key player for Peyton: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two runs, but 2-4 otherwise. Bradlee Nonaka was another, going 2-for-3 with two runs.
Peyton kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. They are a perfect 5-0 when they post 11 or more hits.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Simla). They were the clear victors by a 25-4 margin over Elbert on Thursday. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the team's high-flying offense, the game also marked the team's biggest victory of the season.
The team relied heavily on Tatum Kocerha, who got on base in all four of his plate appearances with four runs, two stolen bases, and five RBI. Those five RBI gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Nathaniel Cauthon, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with three runs and four RBI.
Simla now has a winning record of 4-3. As for Peyton, they now have a winning record of 5-4.
Saturday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Peyton hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .360. However, it's not like Simla struggles in that department as they've averaged .379. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Peyton skirted past Simla 6-4 in their previous meeting back in April of 2025. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Panthers since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
