By JIM LUTGENS

Sports Editor

From the first inning on, it was an uphill battle for the NRHEG softball team.

The Panthers, who saw United South Central take a 3-0 advantage, never could catch up and lost 8-0 at Wells last Thursday.

The Rebels, who totaled 11 hits and one error, added single runs in the fourth and sixth and three in the fifth while holding the Panthers to two hits.

Izley Boerner and Faith Nielsen singled for the Panthers, who com- mitted five fielding errors.

The Rebels doubled and hit a home run. Nielsen pitched for the Panthers, allowing three earned runs while walking two and striking out one.

M. Anderson, the winning pitcher, struck out 12 and walked none while going the distance.

The Panthers kept it close through five innings Friday against Blooming Prairie, but fell 5-2 at Legion Field in New Richland.

The Blossoms plated three runs in the second and one in the fifth, adding an insurance run in the top of the seventh.

Boerner, Isabel Stadheim, Olivia Berg, Addie Stadheim and Chloe Stork hit safe for the Panthers. RBIs went to Stork and Preslie Nielsen. The Panthers fanned three times and walked once.

Faith Nielsen pitched seven innings, allowing two earned runs with five strikeouts and one walk. NRHEG had six errors.

"Blooming is a tough hitting team," said Panthers coach Kayley Camerer. "They were able to hit in key moments of the game. Our goal today was to attack each at-bat and make solid contact with the ball. We were able to make solid contact through the entire game and our defense continues to grow and improve from game to game."

On Monday, the Panthers put nine runs on the board in the top of the first and never looked back while defeating Granada-Huntley/East Chain/Martin Luther/Truman 16-0 at Truman. The Panthers led 12-0 after three innings and 16-0 after four.

NRHEG leaders: Isabel Stadheim 3-for-3 with three runs; Berg 2-for-4 with three runs; Preslie Nielsen 2- for-3 with three RBIs; Faith Nielsen 2-for-4 with two RBIs; Boerner 2- for-3. Erin Peterson doubled and drove in four runs while walking twice.

Faith Nielsen pitched for the Panthers, finishing with nine strike- outs and no walks in four innings.

The Panthers had one error.
"Our bats came alive from the top of our lineup to the bottom," said Camerer. "It was great to see every- one get involved, pass the bat down the order and continue to attack each individual at-bat. Defensively, we are continuing to gain experience and confidence with every play. Faith Nielsen pitched a fantastic game with nine strikeouts and our defense behind her continues to play great."

The Panthers host Bethlehem Academy Thursday at 4:30.