The Delavan Varsity Panthers wrapped up a demanding three game run with flashes of offensive promise but ultimately three tough losses, falling to Lexington on Saturday, Peoria Christian on Monday and Athens on Tuesday. The stretch showcased both the team’s potential—particularly at the plate—and the growing pains of a young roster still searching for consistency on the mound and in the field.

Lexington 13, Delavan 0

Delavan opened the weekend on the road, where Lexington seized control early and never let go. The Minutemen plated three runs in the first and erupted for eight more in the second, capitalizing on defensive miscues and a three run triple from Blaine Friedmansky.

Corie Green struck out two in his start, while Hunter Lusher, Hudson Briggs and Drake Neuendorf each recorded a hit. Lexington’s starter threw a three hit shutout, and the Minutemen ran wild on the bases with 12 steals in the 13–0 final.

PCS 17, Delavan 10

The Panthers bounced back offensively on Monday, out hitting Peoria Christian 14–9 in a high energy matchup that saw Delavan take a mid game lead before the Chargers surged late.

Cameron McMullen led the way with a 3 for 5 performance, including a double and two singles. Corbin Soldal and Grady Burrell also tallied three hits each, while Trace Kight-Garlisch drove in four runs on a 2 for 3 day.

One of the loudest swings of the afternoon came from Hunter Lusher, who launched a towering drive to straightaway center that struck the crown of the fence — a 330 foot shot that missed leaving the yard by mere inches. The near homer went for a double and helped fuel Delavan’s momentum during a four run third inning that put the Panthers ahead 7–6.

Lusher also struck out 11 across 4⅔ innings in his start. But Peoria Christian flipped the game with a six run sixth inning and added five more in the seventh, including a grand slam, to pull away in the 17–10 final.

Despite the loss, Delavan’s offensive output marked a clear step forward and showed the lineup’s ability to generate pressure throughout the order.

Athens 11, Delavan 1

The Panthers closed the stretch on the road at Athens, where the Warriors used a massive fifth inning to pull away in an 11–1 final.

Delavan struck first in the second inning when Corbin Soldal was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, giving the Panthers a brief 1–0 lead. Athens answered immediately with a game tying RBI single down the left field line, then broke the game open in the fifth with a 10 run outburst on five hits. The biggest blow came Athens hit a bases clearing single that drove in three.

Grady Burrell worked 4⅔ innings, allowing seven runs (three earned) on four hits. Delavan collected five hits in the game—one each from Trace Kight-Garlisch, Lyndon Miller, Cameron McMullen, Hudson Briggs and Drake Neuendorf.

Athens played clean, error free defense behind their winning pitcher, who struck out eight in a complete game effort.