Akemann fans 14 at Waseca, Dahle delivers against MR
LEGION FIELD DRAMA — NRHEG senior Jake Staloch (17) slides head first into home with the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning at Legion Field Friday. Greeting him at the plate were Sam Lundberg (11) and Carter Tollefson. Lundberg and Staloch scored on a two-out, two run single by senior Matt Dahle. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
If you haven’t learned by now, perhaps last week convinced you: don’t bet against the NRHEG baseball team this spring.
The Panthers added two more victories, winning 7-1 at Waseca last Tuesday and coming from behind to knock off Maple River 9-8 Friday. It raised the Panthers’ record to 7-1 overall and 3-0 in the Gopher Conference, their only loss coming to defending state champion Eden Valley-Watkins.
Senior right-hander Mitch Akemann was dominant on the mound at Waseca’s Tink Larson Field, tossing a four-hitter while striking out 14 and walking six.
The big inning for Akemann was the fifth, when the Bluejays loaded the bases with one out and their No. 3 and 4 hitters coming to bat. Akemann struck out both.
Sam Lundberg had a big night offensively, going 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs. Jake Staloch was 2-for-2 and drove in two runs. Adding one hit each were David Lassahn, Lucas Meyer, Akemann and Sam Jewett.
The Panthers committed only one error behind Akemann.
“Mitch’s pitching performance was excellent,” said NRHEG coach Jeff Reese. “Offensively we ran the bases very well.”
Senior Matt Dahle provided the dramatics at Legion Field Friday, connecting on a walk-off, game-winning two-run single with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
“These ballplayers never gave up, especially after Maple River scored two runs in the top of the seventh to go up 8-7 on a bloop single with two outs,” said Reese.
Akemann was 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs, Lundberg 2-for-4 with a triple and three runs scored, Staloch 2-for-4. Lassahn tripled.
Nic Mangskau started on the mound and allowed six runs (five earned), on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. Lassahn got the win in relief, giving up two earned runs on one hit, with five strikeouts and four walks, in 2 2/3 innings.