Panthers drop first of four-game weekend to rival Royals
Posted Jun 26, 2026 06:27:29 AM.
Last Updated Jun 26, 2026 11:32:39 AM.
The new Canadian Baseball League season has barely seen a month of league on-field action, but Thursday already marked the third time the Kitchener Panthers have faced the Guelph Royals in 2025-26.
The season series was even heading into the third matchup, with the Royals most recently taking a 7-6 victory at home on June 13.
Panthers’ righty Evan Elliott took the bump at home for his league-leading 7th start on the new season. Guelph’s young left-hander Liam Watt would be his duelling opponent, making his third career CBL start.
Both offences were slow in the early going thanks to Elliott stranding multiple Guelph baserunners in the first inning off a trio of strikeouts. Watt allowed only two hits through the first three innings, even completely the bottom of the third in only six pitches.
The visiting Royals would put a crooked number on the scoreboard in the fourth, as Guelph’s J.D Williams would slap a single over the first baseman to score Victor Mascai for his 9th run scored on the season. Then a fielder’s choice by Kitchener Panthers veteran Andy Leader would score Delvis Nadal, bringing the lead to 2-0. Finally, a Matthew Ward sac fly would score Williams, completing a three-run inning for the visitors.
They would add another in the following two innings as well, as Victor Mascai would score his second run of the game on a pulled fly ball over the right field fence to bring the game to 4-0. Then Miguel Hiraldo would hit a sac fly deep to left, scoring Matthew Ward to make it 5-0 Guelph.
Elliott was relieved of his duties by the ninth inning, where reliever Jacob Liberta would make his 10th appearance on the season. On a full-count, Liberta would allow another Ward sac fly deep to right field, which saw the runners advance, with Nadal scoring against off a wild throw back in from the outfield.
With Guelph dominating 6-0 into the bottom of the ninth, Kitchener needed any offensive production they could muster late. And it looked as though the door was creeping open, as Mateo Zeppieri would clobber a ball over the center field fence for his 4th homer of the season. The massive shot scored by Malik Williams and Petey Kiefer to make it 6-3 Guelph.
Guelph closer Brandon Deans allowed the home run but would cut the tension moments later, as he struck out Raffi Gross swinging and Yunior Ibarra looking to pick up Guelph’s 10th win of the season. Liam Watt would be awarded his second win of the season, with Evan Elliott registering his 3rd loss of the campaign.
The win brings the Royals to 10-7 on the season, good for the fourth seed in the CBL heading into the weekend. Kitchener drops to 6-12, now tied with the 5-11 Brantford Red Sox for 7th in the CBL standings.
The Panthers now face the rest of their stretch of four games in five days. They now head to Hamilton’s Bernie Arbour Stadium to take on the Cardinals at 7:35 p.m. on Friday. Then on June 27, they head to Welland for a 6:05 p.m. start.
Finally, they welcome the Jackfish again to Jack Couch Park at 7:05 p.m. Monday, before their rematch against Guelph for Canada Day action at 2:05 p.m. on Wednesday.
You can get your tickets to every Panthers home contest on their website.
