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

U.S. Supreme Court to hear anti-oil cases with energy costs on the line

U.S. Supreme Court to hear anti-oil cases with energy costs on the line

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Energy advocates have been warning against green energy demands driving up prices across the country. As anti-oil and gas activists seek legal pathways to straddle...
Constitutional concerns raised over Illinois' first civil hate crime case

Constitutional concerns raised over Illinois’ first civil hate crime case

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A former Illinois attorney general candidate says the state’s first civil hate crime lawsuit, while based...
Litchfield Logo Graphic.4

Residents Voice Frustrations Over Oil and Chip Street Conditions

City of Litchfield Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: Several residents approached the Litchfield City Council to complain about the poor condition of streets following recent oil and chip...
Newsom predicts smaller budget shortfall than state agency

Newsom predicts smaller budget shortfall than state agency

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square In his proposed budget, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is predicting a shortfall of $2.9 billion. That's much less than the $18 billion shortfall projected by...
Colorado ordered to pay $5.4M after abortion law blocked

Colorado ordered to pay $5.4M after abortion law blocked

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado must pay back legal fees after it was sued for a law banning abortion pill reversals, a federal court ruled this week. The state...
Four Republicans certified for primary to take on Pritzker

Four Republicans certified for primary to take on Pritzker

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Republican primary election for who will take on Gov. J.B. Pritzker in November is set. Democrats...
Illinois quick hits: State sues over frozen funds; Nicor Gas seeks rate hike

Illinois quick hits: State sues over frozen funds; Nicor Gas seeks rate hike

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square State sues over frozen funds Illinois is one of five states suing the Trump administration over a freeze of more than...
Treasury, IRS ramp up investigation into Minnesota fraud

Treasury, IRS ramp up investigation into Minnesota fraud

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The administration continues to ramp up its response to the massive social services fraud in Minnesota, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent enumerating steps his department...
Tariff authority decision still awaited from Supreme Court

Tariff authority decision still awaited from Supreme Court

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Tariff authority by second-term Republican President Donald Trump was not decided by the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday, meaning the federal government can continue to...
Minneapolis schools offer remote learning while ICE operations continue

Minneapolis schools offer remote learning while ICE operations continue

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square Minneapolis Public Schools can choose remote learning for at least a month in the wake of the shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer...
Trump administration sued for freezing child care funds

Trump administration sued for freezing child care funds

By Chris WadeThe Center Square New York is leading four other states in suing the Trump administration over a freeze of more than $10 billion in federal funding for child...
Minnesota authorities cut out of ICE shooting investigation

Minnesota authorities cut out of ICE shooting investigation

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriaty said the community could be left in the dark after the FBI refused to cooperate with local authorities to investigate...
WATCH: SCOTUS considers gun ban; Pritzker responds to funding freeze; Bailey’s blueprint

WATCH: SCOTUS considers gun ban; Pritzker responds to funding freeze; Bailey’s blueprint

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop discusses the status...
Illinois quick hits: Killeen stepping down from U of I in 2027

Illinois quick hits: Killeen stepping down from U of I in 2027

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Killeen stepping down from U of I in 2027 University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen says he stepping down at...
Op-Ed: The Supreme Court must stop Louisiana’s retroactive lawsuits

Op-Ed: The Supreme Court must stop Louisiana’s retroactive lawsuits

By John ShuThe Center Square On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Chevron v. Plaquemines Parish on a threshold jurisdictional question. The Court’s answer could have...