In a hard-fought battle on Saturday, the Delavan Panthers secured a 6-5 win over the Cornerstone Christian Cyclones in what was dubbed the “Futures Game.” With the upperclassmen away on a senior trip to the Wisconsin Dells, it was up to the underclassmen to rise to the occasion—and they did just that.

Cornerstone Christian struck first, plating three runs in the top of the first inning to gain an early edge. But the Panthers quickly countered, with Corie Green (#11) and Cameron McMullen (#21) each crossing the plate in the bottom of the inning to make it 3-2.

Delavan surged ahead in the fourth inning, fueled by a right-field single from Trace Kight-Garlisch (#9) and two costly errors by the Cyclones, allowing three more Panthers to score. Hudson Briggs (#2) added a crucial run, sneaking past the Cyclones’ defense on a fumbled toss to the catcher while attempting to steal home.

The Cyclones weren’t done yet. A wild pitch in the sixth inning allowed them to tie the game at 5-5, setting up a dramatic finish. In the bottom of the seventh, Green delivered the final blow, stealing home on another wild pitch, clinching the hard-fought victory.

Green also earned the win on the mound, allowing one hit and one run over two innings, while striking out three and walking none. Briggs, the starting pitcher, put in a strong performance, giving up six hits and four runs over five innings, while striking out seven.

Offensively, Kight-Garlisch, Green, and McMullen led the charge with two hits each, while Hunter Lusher (#26), Kight-Garlisch, and McMullen each drove in a run. The Panthers dominated the bases, stealing 10 bases, with Kight-Garlisch and Green swiping multiple.

With the victory secured, the Panthers now set their sights on Monday’s road matchup against the Roanoke-Benson/Lowpoint-Washburn Rockets.