Despite outhitting their opponent, the Delavan Panthers couldn't quite complete their comeback Saturday, falling 5-4 to the Illini Bluffs Tigers in a tightly contested battle for the IHSA Regional Championship.

The Panthers found themselves in an early hole, trailing 4-0 after the first inning. Illini Bluffs capitalized on a walk and a crucial single that drove in three runs. However, Delavan refused to go down without a fight, clawing their way back into contention with a determined offensive display. Scoring efforts from an error, a pair of singles, and a walk helped close the gap, showcasing the team's resilience.

In the fourth inning, Kelton Nafziger (#33) drew a crucial walk to bring the Panthers level at 4-4, breathing new life into their hopes. Yet, a defensive miscue in the bottom of the fifth gave the Tigers the edge once again—one they wouldn't relinquish.

Despite the loss, Delavan had notable performances, with Bryson Horning (#22) leading the charge offensively with two hits. Nafziger, Horning, and Braden Arrenholz (#14) each contributed an RBI, while Arrenholz also impressed on the mound, recording 10 strikeouts over four and two-thirds innings. His counterpart, Dunn, secured the win for Illini Bluffs, delivering a shutdown relief performance with three strikeouts over three innings.

Giftos proved to be a difference-maker for the Tigers, driving in two runs while Fargher, Snyder, Giftos, and Cooper each recorded a hit. Illini Bluffs also displayed their aggressive baserunning, swiping four bases to keep Delavan’s defense on edge.

The Panthers may have fallen short this time, but their fighting spirit suggests they won’t be backing down anytime soon. With their ability to generate offense, they remain a threat for future matchups.