NO FEAR — NRHEG’s Tara Simon slides into third base during last week’s home game against USC. Simon had three hits and three RBIs. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG softball team played an unorthodox doubleheader Tuesday, hosting United South Central and Maple River at Legion Field.
The Panthers won the most important of the two, defeating USC 11-0 to improve their Gopher Conference record to 7-3. They fell 4-0 to nonconference foe Maple River, dropping to 9-4 overall.
NRHEG 11, USC 0
The Panthers started and finished strong, plating four runs in the first inning and getting five in the fourth.
Offensive leaders: Hannah Lundberg 3-for-3, three runs, three stolen bases, one RBI; Tara Simon 3-for-3, three runs, one RBI; Kelli Harrington 2-for-3, double, two runs, one RBI, one stolen base; Kaylie Camerer 1-for-2, one run, one stolen base; Ryann Hagen 1-for-2, one RBI, two stolen bases; Alyssa Esplan 1-for-3, triple, one run.
Anna Lundberg pitched, allowing two hits and no walks. She struck out three.
“The girls played great defense,” said coach Wendy Schultz. “Offensively, the team hit well too.”
Maple River 4, NRHEG 0
Even though the Panthers lost, Coach Schultz said it was a well played game.
“Defensively, we had many good plays,” said Schultz.
Among them was Harrington throwing out a runner at home plate from her center field position.
“We had runners in scoring position two or three different times,” said Schultz. “I feel like we’re playing some of our best ball right now heading into playoffs.”
Harrington was 2-for-3. Hannah Lundberg and Simon added one hit each.
Anna Lundberg took the loss.
