The Delavan Panthers came out swinging and kept pace until the very end, but a late push by the Liberty Eagles proved just enough to edge out a 4-3 victory on Tuesday.

With the game knotted at three runs apiece heading into the top of the sixth, Liberty found the opening they needed. Shea Ionson tagged up and scored the go-ahead run, tipping the scales just beyond Delavan’s reach.

Despite out-hitting Liberty six to four, the Panthers fell short on the scoreboard. Leading the offensive charge was Addi Fisher (#2), who delivered two key hits to keep Delavan in contention.

Liberty struck first in the fourth inning when a tag-up brought in a run, followed by a right-field single and a groundout RBI. The Panthers weren’t fazed, responding in the bottom of the fourth with a sequence of hits—a Fisher double, a single from Kara Lowry (#11), and another double courtesy of Jayley Fisher (#12)—to even the score.

From the circle, Liberty’s Chandler John took home the win, pitching a complete seven innings while allowing six hits and three runs, striking out two, and walking one. Delavan’s Lainey Klokkenga (#9) put up an admirable fight, going the distance with eight strikeouts and three walks while giving up four runs (only one earned) on four hits.

Both Fisher sisters and Lowry each contributed an RBI for the Panthers. On the defensive side, Liberty stayed sharp, completing a double play and finishing the game without a single error.

The Panthers put up a valiant fight, but as the final out was recorded, it was the Eagles who celebrated the narrow victory.