By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG baseball team has not had the success it had hoped for this season.
The Panthers saw their losing skid reach seven of their last eight games with three recent losses. Their record through Monday was 3-7 in the Gopher Conference and 5-9 overall.
The Panthers traveled to Mankato May 5 and lost 2-0 to Loyola.
NRHEG starting pitcher Sam Lundberg deserved a better fate, according to coach Jeff Reese, throwing a three-hitter. He gave up one earned run, striking out six and walking six.
Mitch Akemann was 2-for-3 at the plate. Jake Staloch doubled.
“Offensively, we are definitely struggling,” said Reese. “We are making some baserunning and mental mistakes, which are correctable. Although the team and the coaches are frustrated, we are proud of how they keep working and staying enthused. Good things will happen when they stop pressing.”
The next game, May 12 at Blooming Prairie, looked like a good one for the Panthers as they took a 5-3 lead in the top of the sixth inning. Staloch delivered the key hit, a two-run home run. The Blossoms answered with one in the bottom of the sixth and two in the seventh to win it 6-5.
“It was a frustrating loss,” said Reese.
Staloch finished 2-for-3 with a homer, a triple and three RBIs. Lundberg was also 2-for-3.
Lundberg pitched another complete game, allowing six earned runs on 12 hits. He struck out nine and walked four.
“Defensively, we played well and picked off three Blooming Prairie baserunners,” said Reese. “Blooming was aggressive at the plate.”
The next day, Friday the 13th, was not a lucky one for the Panthers as they lost 15-5 in six innings to LCWM at Legion Field.
“Again, we were competitive when we came off the field in the fourth inning,” said Reese.
But LCWM scored five in the fourth to take a 7-4 lead, cruising from there.
“Our pitchers need to find the strike zone,” said Reese. “We had 16 walks in six innings.”
Cody Kraay went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Carter Tollefson was 2-for-2.
Kraay started on the mound and pitched 3 2/3 innings, taking the loss. Tollefson, Staloch and David Lassahn pitched in relief.
The Panthers played Tuesday, May 17 at USC. They host Blooming Prairie Thursday, May 19 and play at Albert Lea Friday. They entertain Waseca Tuesday, May 24.
