Softball Recap: Pana Snags Tenth Victory in Last 12 Games

Panthers

Previous 5 Games

05/14/25 @ Vandalia	17-0
05/12/25 @ Litchfield	13-1
05/09/25 vs North Mac	15-1
05/08/25 vs Warrensburg-Latham	3-1
05/07/25 vs Staunton	0-4

Pana barely beat Vandalia the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Panthers never let the Vandals get on the board and left with a 17-0 victory on Wednesday. With that win, the Panthers brought their scoring average up to 6.4 runs per game.

Shelby Ashcraft was a major factor no matter where she played. She didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit over four innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up a single earned run in three consecutive appearances. She was also stellar in the batter's box, firing off two home runs, seven RBI, and three runs while going 3-for-3. That's the most home runs she has posted since back in March.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Kennedy Bowker, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with four runs and two stolen bases. Another player making a difference was Izzy Reed, who went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI.

Pana has been performing well recently as they've won ten of their last 12 contests. That's provided a massive bump to their 14-10-1 record this season. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 7.6 runs over those games. As for Vandalia, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost 12 of their last 16 games. That's put a noticeable dent in their 7-17 record this season.

Pana does not have any more games scheduled as of now. As for Vandalia, they will square off against Southwestern at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. The Piasa Birds' pitching crew has only allowed 3.9 runs per game this season, so the Vandals' hitters will have their work cut out for them.