Pana took control early and never looked back, rolling past Southwestern 9-2 behind a balanced offensive attack and a strong outing on the mound from Parker Moore.
The Panthers got on the board in the second inning when Dane Epley dropped down a bunt single to bring home Carder Burris. Later in the frame, Moore added to the lead with a fielder’s choice that scored Epley, making it 2-0.
Pana broke things open in the fifth. Brylan Miller delivered the big swing with a bases-clearing double to right, plating three runs. Lincoln Burris followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 6-0 and put Southwestern on its heels.
The Panthers kept the pressure on in the sixth. Easton Malisia brought in a run on a ground ball that resulted in an error, and Cash Lynch added an RBI single to push the advantage to 9-1.
Southwestern showed some life late, scoring in the sixth on a single and adding another run in the seventh on a sacrifice play, but it wasn’t nearly enough to overcome the early deficit.
Moore earned the win on the mound, going six strong innings while allowing just three hits and striking out eight.
Top Performers:
- Brylan Miller: 1-for-3, 2B, 3 RBIs, run
- Carder Burris: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, 2 runs
- Lincoln Burris: 2-for-4, RBI
- Dane Epley: 1-for-2, RBI, 2 runs
- Parker Moore: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 8 K (W)