Pana Offense Erupts for 18 Hits, Uses Five-Run Fifth to Put Away Litchfield 11-6

The Pana varsity softball team unleashed a relentless offensive attack on Friday, pounding out 18 hits to secure an 11-6 home conference victory over Litchfield. After watching an early lead slip away, Pana broke a 6-6 tie with a massive five-run fifth inning to permanently seize control of the game.

Pana’s lineup was a nightmare for Litchfield pitching from top to bottom, with five different players recording multi-hit games. Freshman J. Morrison anchored the run production, going 3-for-4 with a double and a team-high four RBIs. Seniors Bianna Mathis and Kennedy Bowker were equally unstoppable, each collecting three hits. Mathis drove in three runs, while Bowker crossed the plate three times. Adding to the offensive fireworks, senior Joey Laker showcased her speed by legging out two triples in a 2-for-4 performance.

The game started as a back-and-forth affair. Litchfield struck first, manufacturing two runs in the top of the first inning by capitalizing on walks. Pana responded immediately with two runs in the bottom of the frame, followed by a three-run second inning to build a 5-2 advantage.

Litchfield refused to fade, however. Despite struggling to string hits together against Bowker, who started in the circle for Pana, Litchfield utilized patience at the plate and aggressive baserunning. Litchfield drew seven walks off Bowker and scored three runs in the top of the fifth to complete their comeback, knotting the score at 6-6. Alexis Mielke led the charge for the visitors, reaching base in all four of her plate appearances with a double and three walks, while scoring twice.

Faced with a newly tied game, Pana’s offense went right back to work in the bottom of the fifth. A barrage of hits overwhelmed Litchfield’s defense, allowing Pana to bat around and hang five runs on the board. Though Litchfield starter Mielke surrendered 16 hits over six innings, her defense struggled behind her, resulting in only three of Pana’s 11 runs being earned. Conversely, Pana played a flawless game in the field, committing zero errors over seven innings.

After Pana regained the lead, Mathis took over in the circle and slammed the door. The senior threw 2.2 innings of scoreless, two-hit relief, issuing just one walk to earn the victory and secure the 11-6 conference win for Pana.

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

Scoring Drives

• First Inning: Litchfield plates two early runs. Pana answers immediately with two runs of their own to tie it up. (Litchfield 2, Pana 2)

• Second Inning: Pana’s bats stay hot, bringing home three runs to take the lead. (Pana 5, Litchfield 2)

• Third Inning: Pana tacks on an additional run. (Pana 6, Litchfield 2)

• Fourth Inning: Litchfield cuts into the deficit with a single run. (Pana 6, Litchfield 3)

• Fifth Inning: Litchfield rallies for three runs in the top half to tie the game. Pana explodes for five runs in the bottom half to reclaim a commanding lead. (Pana 11, Litchfield 6)

Individual Statistics

PANA BATTING:

• J. Morrison (Fr): 3-4, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 1 R

• Bianna Mathis (Sr): 3-4, 3 RBI

• Kennedy Bowker (Sr): 3-4, 1 RBI, 3 R

• Joey Laker (Sr): 2-4, 2 3B, 1 R

• Norah Kingery (Jr): 2-3, 1 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 SB

• Bella Bennett (Jr): 2-4, 1 RBI, 2 R, 2 SB

• Kezley Doty (So): 2-3, 1 R

• Addasyn Casner (So): 1-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI

• Tess Casner (Fr): 0-4

PANA PITCHING:

• Bianna Mathis (Sr) (W): 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

• Kennedy Bowker (Sr): 4.1 IP, 3 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 7 BB, 1 K

LITCHFIELD BATTING:

• Alexis Mielke: 1-1, 1 2B, 2 R, 3 BB

• Molly Rimar: 1-3, 1 BB

• Madi Rimar: 1-4

• Aria Feeley: 1-3, 1 BB

• Kinley Hemken: 0-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SB

• Emma Estell: 0-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SB

• Charlie Bono: 0-3

• Marissa Bono: 0-3, 1 BB

• Allison Belusko: 0-4

LITCHFIELD PITCHING:

• Alexis Mielke (L): 6.0 IP, 16 H, 11 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K