“At that point, we were feeling good,” said Reese.
But the Panthers would not score again and the Saints piled on the runs — four in the third and three in the fifth, finishing with 14 hits.
Akemann started on the mound for the Panthers and went two innings before developing a sore elbow. He gave up three earned runs on three hits, with four strikeouts and two walks. Lundberg went 2 2/3 innings of relief, giving up seven earned runs on nine hits, fanning one and walking one. Nic Mangskau pitched the final 2 1/3 innings and allowed no runs on three hits, with three strikeouts and no walks.
Offensively for NRHEG, Lucas Meyer was 2-for-4, Lundberg 2-for-3 with a run scored, Staloch 1-for-4 with an RBI double and a run, Akemann 1-for-3 and Tyler Sorenson 1-for-3.
“Overall, I am so proud of the team,” said Reese. “They earned what they received and they deserved more.”
The Panthers graduate nine seniors in Meyer, Matt Dahle, David Lassahn, Staloch, Eric Sorenson, Akemann, Carter Tollefson, Tyler Sorenson and Lundberg.
