Litchfield Panthers Baseball Graphic

Litchfield Overwhelms Lanphier 15-0 Behind Explosive Offense and Combined Shutout

The Litchfield varsity baseball team delivered a masterclass on both sides of the diamond Wednesday, rolling to a 15-0 road victory over Lanphier in a five-inning non-conference clash.

Capitalizing on relentless hitting, aggressive baserunning, and defensive miscues by Lanphier, Litchfield erupted for five runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back. The visiting lineup tallied 13 hits and swiped 11 bases on the day, punishing a Lanphier defense that committed eight errors.

Senior Mathew Bywater was an offensive force for Litchfield, going 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, two runs scored, and a game-high three RBIs. Senior Max Leitschuh was equally perfect at the plate, finishing 3-for-3 with a double, three runs scored, and three RBIs of his own. Senior Ethan Saathoff provided the biggest blast of the afternoon, launching a home run and driving in a run.

Senior T. Pastrovich also turned in a stellar performance, collecting two hits—including a double—while scoring twice and terrorizing the basepaths with a game-high three stolen bases.

While the offense built a massive cushion, Litchfield’s pitching staff quietly dismantled Lanphier’s lineup, combining for a two-hit shutout. Junior Max Gretjak earned the win, tossing three scoreless innings. He allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out five on 43 pitches. Senior Tucker Maguire slammed the door in relief, pitching two perfect innings and striking out four of the six batters he faced to secure the 15-0 victory.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Final
Litchfield 5 3 0 4 3 15
Lanphier 0 0 0 0 0 0

Scoring Drives

  • 1st Inning: Litchfield’s offense erupts early, plating five runs to take a commanding lead.

  • 2nd Inning: Litchfield extends its advantage with a three-run frame.

  • 4th Inning: A four-run surge further distances Litchfield from Lanphier.

  • 5th Inning: Litchfield tacks on three final runs to cap off the mercy-rule victory.

Individual Statistics

HITTING (Litchfield):

  • Mathew Bywater (Sr): 3-4, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 SB

  • Max Leitschuh (Sr): 3-3, 1 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI, 1 SB

  • T. Pastrovich (Sr): 2-4, 1 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI, 3 SB

  • Ethan Saathoff (Sr): 1-2, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 SB

  • Titan Hires (Sr): 1-3, 3 R, 1 RBI, 2 SB

  • Kaiden Law (Sr): 1-2, 2 RBI

  • Augustus Hale (Fr): 1-1, 1 R, 1 RBI

PITCHING (Litchfield):

  • Max Gretjak (Jr): (W) 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 43 pitches

  • Tucker Maguire (Sr): 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 19 pitches

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois Quick Hits: Jackson to lie in state next week

Illinois Quick Hits: Jackson to lie in state next week

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Celebration of Life services have been announced for civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, who died on Tuesday....
GOP candidates, White House criticize Pritzker on budget and management

GOP candidates, White House criticize Pritzker on budget and management

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – J.B. Pritzker’s potential challengers are not impressed with the incumbent Illinois governor’s budget proposal. Republican gubernatorial candidate...
Screenshot 2026-02-18 at 2.33.24 PM

Litchfield Board Reviews SCI Center Growth, Weighs Future Funding Model

Litchfield Board of Education Meeting | February 17, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield School Board received a comprehensive update on the South Central Illinois (SCI) Regional Workforce Training and Innovation...
State lawmakers offer partisan responses to Pritzker’s budget address

State lawmakers offer partisan responses to Pritzker’s budget address

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are offering mixed reviews of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget address. Following the governor’s State of...
Illinois Quick Hits: Data Center group concerned over pause

Illinois Quick Hits: Data Center group concerned over pause

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Data Center Coalition says Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed two-year pause on new data center tax credits...
Pritzker proposes $54.8 billion budget, down from $55.2 billion in 2026

Pritzker proposes $54.8 billion budget, down from $55.2 billion in 2026

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has proposed a budget for fiscal year 2027 that is smaller than the...
WATCH: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivers state budget address

WATCH: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivers state budget address

By The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivers his State of the State and Budget Address at noon Wednesday in front of a...
Union faces federal worker’s suit over seized dues

Union faces federal worker’s suit over seized dues

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – National Right to Work Foundation Vice President Patrick Semmens is calling out AFSCME Council 31 union...
Illinois Quick Hits: Feds order state to stop issuing non-domiciled CDLs

Illinois Quick Hits: Feds order state to stop issuing non-domiciled CDLs

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has found that nearly one in five...
montgomery county Graphic Logo.3

Board Authorizes New Patrol Vehicles and Sheriff’s Office Equipment

Montgomery County Board Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The board approved the purchase of two new Dodge Durangos and necessary technical equipment for the Sheriff's Office. Sheriff's Office Purchases...
Judge: ‘Boneless wings’ suit vs Buffalo Wild Wings has no legs

Judge: ‘Boneless wings’ suit vs Buffalo Wild Wings has no legs

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Buffalo Wild Wings can't be sued for selling "boneless wings" that are actually oversized, sauced chicken nuggets, because "reasonable" customers shouldn't expect...
Illinois group pushes drug pricing bill opposed by business groups

Illinois group pushes drug pricing bill opposed by business groups

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An effort is underway to work at controlling prescription drug prices in Illinois, but there is a...
IL lawmaker intros bill to regulate third-party lawsuit investing

IL lawmaker intros bill to regulate third-party lawsuit investing

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Amid a growing push nationwide for new laws to regulate the booming business of third-party lawsuit investing, a state lawmaker has introduced...
Illinois senator offers 401(k)-style option to escape $145 billion pension crisis

Illinois senator offers 401(k)-style option to escape $145 billion pension crisis

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator is pushing a sweeping but voluntary change to the state’s pension system...
Pasadena, Altadena continue recovery after 2025 Eaton Fire

Pasadena, Altadena continue recovery after 2025 Eaton Fire

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Many people in the Pasadena area are going to need more time to recover from last year's devastating Eaton Fire. Rick Cole, a Pasadena City...