Pana softball wins first regional game

(PARIS) — The Pana High School softball team scored 4 runs in the top of the third inning to take a 5-0 lead over the Paris Tigers and held on to win, 5-4. It was the first round of the Teutopolis Class 2A Regional on Monday night.

In the third, Pana loaded the bases and Joey Laker cleared them with a double for 3 RBI’s. The Panthers had a half-dozen hits in the game. Shelby Ashcraft and Brianna Mathis each had 2 hits and each had a pair of RBI’s. Izzy Reed also had a base hit.

The Tigers cut into the Panthers lead, 5-1 with a run in the fourth, then scored 3 runs in the bottom of the fifth to close the gap to 1, 5-4.

Ashcraft came in to relieve in the fifth to get the save for Pana.

Laker started the game for Pana. She gave up 4 runs on 5 hits and struck out 2. She was the winning pitcher. Ashcraft came in, throwing 2-and-2/3rds innings, She allowed 3 hits while striking out 4 and giving up 2 walks.

Pana improved to 12-11 on the season and weather-permitting, they are heading to T-Town Tuesday afternoon to face the number 1 seed in the regional, Effingham St. Anthony. First pitch is at 4:30 p.m.