Softball Game Preview: Pana Panthers vs. Litchfield Purple Panthers

For the first time this season, Pana will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup. They will head out on the road to face off against the Litchfield Purple Panthers at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Pana is coming into the match on a four-game losing streak.

Things were looking good for Pana after they put the first runs on the board on Wednesday, but unfortunately for them things went downhill from there. They fell just short of Tri-City by a score of 7-6.

Joey Laker was huge no matter where she played even without the win. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Those zero hits allowed gave her a new career-low. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two runs and one triple. That triple was her first of the season.

In other batting news, Izzy Reed was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-4 with one triple and one run.

Meanwhile, Litchfield suffered their closest defeat since March 29, 2024 on Wednesday. They fell just short of Jersey by a score of 5-3. The Purple Panthers haven't had much luck with the Panthers recently, as the team has come up short the last five times they've met.

Charlie Bono made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and scored a run and stole a base while going 2-for-3.

Pana's record is now 4-7. As for Litchfield, their record now sits at 6-4.

Fans could be in store for some top-tier slugging on Friday. Pana hasn't had any problems when it comes to power this season, having averaged 0.5 home runs per game. However, it's not like Litchfield struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 0.4 home runs. With so much power on both teams, it'll be down to the pitchers to keep the mound locked down.

Everything went Pana's way against Litchfield when the teams last played back in April of 2024, as Pana made off with an 8-1 win. Will the Panthers repeat their success, or do the Purple Panthers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.