They say success is contagious and, if that’s the case, it looks like the NRHEG softball team has caught it.
The Panthers went 3-0 during the past week, running their record to 5-1 for the season and 2-1 in the Gopher Conference.
“We have some young gals really stepping up,” said coach Wendy Schultz. “Our upperclassmen are doing well, too.”
On Saturday at Legion Field, it was a youngster who delivered the key hit in a 6-5 nonconference victory over Albert Lea.
Alyssa Esplan, normally a B-squader, was called on to pinch hit with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. She smacked a first-pitch single to the right side of the field to score two runs.
Anna Stork had a clutch two-out, two-run single in the third.
Also hitting safely were Hannah Lundberg, Jade Schultz, Morgan Staloch and McKenna Thiele. Lundberg scored twice and stole two bases. Mandy Deml and Kelli Harrington each scored a run.On the mound, Schultz struck out 15 and walked three while allowing two earned runs on seven hits.
“Hannah Lundberg continues to work hard behind the plate to keep the runners honest,” said Coach Schultz. “She threw a runner out trying to steal second. It was a good team win. Two of our starters were not able to be at the game.”
Last Thursday, the Panthers dispatched visiting JWP 12-1 in five innings.
Schultz allowed only two hits, with nine strikeouts and two walks. She also led the way offensively, going 3-for-3 with three runs and two stolen bases. Stork hit a two-run triple and Anna Schlaak had a run-scoring triple. Thiele, Tara Simon and Stormi Hagen added one hit apiece.
“It was a good team win,” said Coach Schultz. “Defensively we committed no errors. Jade pitched well. Offensively we hit pretty well.”
The Panthers hosted Waseca in a nonconference game last Tuesday and won 4-2.
Tori Raimann was 2-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base, Schultz 2-for-4 with one RBI, one run and two stolen bases. Adding one hit each were Deml, Hagen, Harrington, Simon and Lundberg.
Schultz struck out 13 and walked eight while giving up two earned runs on 10 hits.
“The girls played great defense,” said Coach Schultz.
The Panthers host Blooming Prairie Monday, April 23.