Panthers fall to JWP in five innings
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG baseball team is coming off a conference championship season in which they graduated many players.
The inexperience of the new squad showed in the season opener last Monday, April 8 as the Panthers lost 12-2 in five innings to JWP at New Richland’s Legion Field.
The Panthers collected just two hits, one apiece by Brad Claycomb and Nic Mangskau. Claycomb had one RBI and a stolen base. Johnny White drove in the other run while walking once. Spencer Tollefson drew a pair of walks.
Mangskau, a senior righthander, started on the mound for the Panthers and went four innings, giving up five runs (two earned), on six hits, striking out three and walking two.
“His control was fine, but he needs to work on location and changing speeds,” said NRHEG coach Jeff Reese.Sophomore Trevor Tracy pitched the fifth inning, allowing seven earned runs on five hits. He walked two and did not have a strikeout.
Ricky Johnson was the Bulldogs’ offensive leader, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Sawyer Gahler was the winning pitcher, finishing with six strikeouts and four walks.
The Panthers committed five errors.
“We need to solidify our defense, get better at-bats, and play smarter,” said Reese. “We had a few mental errors and baserunning mistakes. However, with the players’ work ethic and attitude, we will see vast improvement.”
When the chance for improvement presents itself is anybody’s guess. The Panthers have been rained or snowed out of everything since the opener, and the forecast doesn’t look good for this week.
They were scheduled to play April 11 against Medford, April 15 at Randolph and April 18 against WEM.