The NRHEG softball team ran its record to 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the Gopher Conference while splitting a pair of games at New Richland’s Legion Field last week. The Panthers defeated St. Clair 9-3 in a nonconference game Tuesday, May 3 and fell 8-0 to Mankato Loyola Thursday, May 5.
Freshman Jade Schultz led the Panthers against St. Clair, throwing a three-hitter while striking out 15 and going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs at the plate. Tara Simon was 3-for-4 with one RBI, Mandy Deml 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Harlee Vokoun, Tori Raimann and Kristina Cole had one hit each. Steph Root, Kacie Phillips and Morgan Staloch scored run run apiece.
“Our bats didn’t come alive until the fifth inning,” said NRHEG coach Wendy Schultz, whose team finished with 11 hits.
“Every batter in our lineup scored at least once, so it was nice to see the whole team contribute,” added Coach Schultz.
The Panthers also played well defensively, committing only one error.
St. Clair’s pitcher allowed three earned runs while fanning 11 and walking two.
The Loyola game was closer than the final score indicates, with the Crusaders adding one run in the sixth and three in the seventh.
Vokoun had a stellar game defensively, fielding some hard hit balls that looked like they were going for hits. Raimann and Phillips also made some nice plays at shortstop and second base, respectively.
“Offensively, we had some nice hits but Mankato Loyola also made some nice plays,” said Coach Schultz. “We only struck out three times. We stranded a fair amount of baserunners. Jade had an off night pitching.”
Jade Schultz allowed five earned runs on two hits. She walked eight and had no strikeouts. Loyola’s pitcher struck out three and walked two.
Cole doubled for the Panthers. Also hitting safely were Deml, Raimann, Vokoun, Simon and Root.
The Panthers faced JWP Tuesday, May 10 in New Richland. They play Friday, May 13 at WEM and Monday, May 16 at USC.
