Malisia’s Complete Game Not Enough as Pana Falls to Litchfield 3-1

Despite a gritty, complete-game performance from starting pitcher Easton Malisia, the Pana varsity baseball team could not overcome a quiet day at the plate, falling 3-1 to Litchfield in Friday’s home conference matchup.

Malisia was the tough-luck loser in a game where he largely kept the Litchfield offense in check. The right-hander navigated seven complete innings, scattering seven hits and allowing just one earned run while striking out four on 99 pitches. However, an early defensive miscue allowed two unearned runs to cross the plate, giving Litchfield an advantage they would never relinquish.

Litchfield set the tone immediately, pushing two runs across in the top of the first inning. They extended their lead to 3-0 in the third inning, putting the pressure squarely on a Pana lineup that struggled to find its rhythm.

Litchfield’s pitching staff silenced Pana’s bats for most of the afternoon, racking up 11 strikeouts and holding the home team to just two hits. Carder Burris and Madyx Angel were the lone bright spots offensively for Pana, with each recording a hit in the contest. Pana also tried to manufacture offense on the basepaths, swiping three stolen bases courtesy of Carder Burris, Parker Moore, and Dane Epley, but timely hitting remained elusive.

Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the seventh, Pana finally broke through. Carder Burris sparked the late rally, eventually crossing the plate on an RBI from Brylan Miller. The late push cut the deficit to 3-1, but the Litchfield defense ultimately closed the door to secure the conference victory.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

Scoring Drives

• First Inning: Litchfield jumps out to an early lead with two runs. (Litchfield 2, Pana 0)

• Third Inning: Litchfield adds to its advantage with a single run. (Litchfield 3, Pana 0)

• Seventh Inning: Pana breaks the shutout with a late run driven in by Brylan Miller, but the rally falls short. (Litchfield 3, Pana 1)