Washington is 9-1 against Pekin since May of 2021 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Monday. The Panthers will host the Dragons at 7:00 p.m. Washington's pitching crew has only allowed 3.5 runs per game this season, so Pekin's hitters will have their work cut out for them.
Washington barely beat Ottawa the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Panthers put the hurt on the Pirates with a sharp 9-3 victory on Saturday. The Panthers have beaten the Pirates the last six times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Pirates has come to flipping the script.
Jackson Vanderheydt
| 03/28/26 @ Normal University | 4 |
| 03/21/26 vs Mt. Vernon | 2 |
| 04/11/26 vs Ottawa | 1 |
| 04/06/26 @ Metamora | 1 |
Washington got a great performance from Jackson Vanderheydt as he struck out six batters over five innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off six hits (and only one walk). Vanderheydt also tossed a walk, which is notable because the Panthers are undefeated when he allows at most two walks, but 4-5 otherwise.
On the hitting side, Anson Zaiser was incredible, going 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBI, and one double. That's the most hits he has posted since back in May of 2025. Eli Roedell was another key player, going 3-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Meanwhile, Pekin was not able to break out of their rough patch on Wednesday as the team picked up their fourth straight defeat. They were two runs away from ending the streak, but they lost a 3-1 heartbreaker at the hands of Dunlap. That's two games in a row now that the Dragons have lost by exactly two runs.
Pekin saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Matt Stropes, who went 1-for-3 with one home run.
Washington's win bumped their record up to 8-5. As for Pekin, their loss dropped their record down to 3-6.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Washington has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Pekin struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Everything went Washington's way against Pekin in their previous meeting back in April of 2025, as Washington made off with an 11-1 victory. Do the Panthers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Dragons turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
