The NRHEG softball team made it close in the late innings, but continued its winning ways with a 6-4 Gopher Conference victory over United South Central at New Richland’s Legion Field last Thursday.

The Panthers, behind the strong arm of Jade Schultz, were never really threatened in the game. They took a 2-0 lead in the bottom first inning, added three in the fifth and one in the sixth. Errors in the top of the seventh led to USC’s four runs.

Schultz finished with a five-hitter, striking out 12 and walking two while allowing two earned runs. USC’s Cassidy Latusek gave up six earned runs on eight hits, with four strikeouts and five walks.

Schultz led the NRHEG offense going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Tori Raimann was 2-for-2 with two runs and two stolen bases. Tara Simon doubled and scored. Hannah Lundberg, Mandy Deml and Anna Stork contributed one hit apiece.

“It was a good team win,” said Panthers coach Wendy Schultz. “Jade pitched well.”