Despite a determined effort, the Delavan Panthers softball team were unable to hold off a dominant Porta squad, falling 15-2 on Friday.

The Panthers faced early adversity as the Bluejays struck for five runs in the opening inning, capitalizing on timely hits and defensive miscues. Delavan regrouped and limited further damage, keeping the game within reach.

Lainey Klokkenga (#9) took the mound for Delavan, pitching six innings and battling through a relentless offensive attack from Porta. While she allowed 15 runs—only three of which were earned—the senior showed resilience, recording five strikeouts and limiting walks to just one. With this performance, Klokkenga brought her career strikeout total to 606, a remarkable milestone achieved just one day after surpassing the 600-strikeout mark in a game against the Dee-Mack Chiefs.

Offensively, the Panthers found some bright spots, as Klokkenga and Nola Houston (#10) each drove in a run. Klokkenga and Kara Lowry (#11) led the charge at the plate, collecting two hits apiece, while Delavan flashed its defensive ability by turning a double play to halt further damage.

However, the sixth inning proved to be the decisive blow, as Porta exploded for eight runs on seven hits, breaking the game open. Defensive errors compounded the Panthers’ struggles, allowing their opponents to extend their lead beyond reach.

Despite the tough loss, Delavan showed flashes of strong play, highlighting moments of defensive sharpness and steady at-bats. The team will look to regroup and bounce back in their next outing, carrying lessons from this game forward. The Panthers will now turn their focus to the IHSA Class 1A regional tournament, where they will face the Rushville Rockets at Illini Bluffs High School on Wednesday, May 21, at 4:30 PM.