By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
So far this young season, pitching has been the story for the NRHEG softball team.
It was again Monday, but the Panther offense stole the show in an 11-0, six-inning victory at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton. It improved the Panthers to 3-0 in the conference and 4-1 overall.
The Panthers pounded out 13 hits at JWP, led by sophomore Tara Simon, who went 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs. Junior Tori Raimann was 3-for-4 with three runs, an RBI and a stolen base. Harlee Vokoun went 2-for-2. Adding one hit each were Kacie Phillips, Steph Root, Shelby Mogenson, Jade Schultz and Kristina Cole. Root and Mogenson each drove in a run.
Jade Schultz had another strong night pitching, allowing only two hits, striking out 10 and walking one.
“It was another good team win,” said coach Wendy Schultz. “Jade had a great night pitching and her defense backed her up and played well. Our infield made the routine plays. Kacie Phillips fielded a nicely hit ball at second base to end the game. Our hits were scattered throughout the lineup, which is nice to see.”
A week earlier, the Panthers dropped a 5-4 nonconference decision at Waseca.
“This was a game we feel we should have won,” said Coach Schultz. “We had two or three very costly errors. However, the girls never gave up and just about came back and had a chance to win the game.”
Jade Schultz and Vokoun were both 2-for-4. Phillips tripled, Cole doubled. Simon added a base hit.
On the mound, Schultz gave up three earned runs on nine hits, striking out nine and walking five.
The rest of last week’s games were postponed by weather, as was Tuesday’s scheduled game at Glenville-Emmons. The Panthers host USC Monday, April 25 and play at Blooming Prairie the next day.
