The NRHEG softball team had a lot of questions entering the 2012 season.
It appears many of them have been answered.
The Panthers have won two of their first three games, going 1-1 in Gopher Conference play.
On Monday, the Panthers hosted WEM and posted a 3-1 victory.
Anna Stork came up with a huge hit for the Panthers in the bottom of the sixth inning. With the game tied 1-1, two outs and runners in scoring position, Stork slapped a solid shot between third base and shortstop to drive in a crucial run. Tara Simon also drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Also hitting safely for NRHEG were Makenna Thiele, Mandy Deml and Jade Schultz.
Schultz was the winning pitchers, allowing no earned runs on three hits, with 13 strikeouts and seven walks.
“It was a good team win,” said coach Wendy Schultz.The Panthers fell 3-2 at Randolph last Thursday.
“This was a frustrating game to lose,” said Coach Schultz. “We won in every category but the one that counts, the score. We played well defensively, committing one error. Four out of the six innings were three up, three down. We hit well, but left way too many runners in scoring position.”
Leading the Panthers offensively: Tori Raimann 3-for-3; Schultz 2-for-4 with a triple; Simon 2-for-4; Thiele 1-for-2; Kelli Harrington 1-for-3; Hannah Lundberg 1-for-4.
“Jade, Tara, Tori and McKenna hit very well,” said Coach Schultz. “Two of our young girls made many plays defensively, Stormi Hagen at second base and Anna Stork at first. We will keep plugging away. We have to give credit to Randolph. They made two or three spectacular plays on defense to secure the win.”
Schultz again pitched a three-hitter. She struck out five and walked two.
The Panthers opened the season with a 7-5 victory over Blue Earth Area.
Offensive leaders: Simon 3-for-3, 1 run, two RBIs; Lundberg 2-for-4, 2 runs, two stolen bases; Harrington 2-for-3, 1 run; Deml 2-for-4, 2 runs; Schultz 1-for-4, triple, 1 run; Raimann 1-for-3, 1 run; Stork 1-for-4; Hagen 1-for-2.
Schultz gave up one earned run on 13 hits, with 10 strikeouts and four walks.
“Overall I was pleased with the way the team played,” said Coach Schultz. “Offensively we had some solid hits and laid some decent bunts down. Defensively we played fairly well. We have more work to do, but the girls are hard workers, and are always looking at ways to improve. We’re very young and inexperienced. The girls played with poise.”
The Panthers host JWP Thursday.