Panthers drop sixth straight, look to bounce back vs. Royals
Posted Jun 14, 2026 07:57:58 AM.
Last Updated Jun 14, 2026 07:58:03 AM.
The Kitchener Panthers were unable to break out of their slump in the first half of the weekend’s home-and-home, as they lost on the road to the Guelph Royals on Saturday 7-6.
The Royals and Panthers entered their double-header on very different trajectories, as the Royals had won 3 straight heading into Saturday’s contest, the Panthers on the other hand had lost 5 straight games. Both streaks would extend as the result of Guelph’s home victory.
Guelph took the lead early in the 1st with a sacrifice groundout from Garrett Takamatsu scoring Ryan Dos Santos to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. They would extend that lead in the 3rd, as a Victor Mascal double to center field on a full count pitch would score Miguel Hiraldo.
Royals’ starter Jacob Kush threw 4 innings of scoreless ball to open the game, but the top-level Panthers offense could only be held off for so long, as Josh WIlliams would blast a home run to left field to score himself and two others, cutting the lead to 3-2 Guelph. Then Petey Kiefer would tie the game later in the inning, singling home Charlie Towers for his team-leading 15th RBI of the season.
Kitchener would take a 6-3 lead into the bottom of the 7th, but the Royals bats would come to life the rest of the way. A Victor Miscal RBI single was followed by sac fly by Matthew Ward that would score Miguel Hiraldo. Then former Kitchener Panther Andy Leader would cap off the comeback, singling home two runs to give the Royals a lead they would never relent.
The loss dropped Kitchener to a 5-9 record on the season, good for the 7th seed in the Canadian Baseball League. The Guelph Royals are now 6-6, putting them in the 5th seed just above the playoff line. It ties the season series between Guelph and Kitchener at 1-1.
Despite the 6th loss in a row, the Panthers continued their streak of scoring four or more runs in every game this season. They are the only team in the CBL to do so as of this point in the season.
The Panthers now head back home looking to get one back on the Royals. First pitch at Jack Couch Park for “Women in Sports night” goes just after 2:00 p.m.
You can get your last minute tickets at tickets.kitchenerpanthers.com.
