By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
There were definite signs of hope for the NRHEG baseball team.
So far, though, no victories for the young Panthers.
NRHEG lost a pair of games this past week, falling 4-3 in eight innings at USC and dropping an 11-2 decision to Faribault Academies at Legion Field on Monday.
Both games were close, at least most of the way.
The Panthers played conference favorite Faribault Academies even up, with the score tied 2-2 entering the fourth inning.
Casey Rosacker was 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Also with one hit each were Dillon Parpart, Nic Mangskau, Noah Krell, Johnny White and Nick Bartness.Sophomore Trevor Tracy started on the mound and took the loss. He gave up eight runs (five earned), on nine hits, with five strikeouts and four walks. Johnny White and Matt Jensen each pitched an inning in relief.
White had the defensive play of the game, making a spectacular catch against the left field fence in the fifth.
“With all the games piling up, we are looking at pitchers and Trevor Tracy has the potential to be a good one,” said Panthers coach Jeff Reese.
On Strike Out Cancer Night at Legion Field, the Panthers nearly knocked off USC.
Trailing 3-1 in the seventh, the Panthers rallied to tie it on a key hit by Mangskau. Zach Haberman, pinch-hitter Jensen and Brad Claycomb had key singles in the rally.
Rosacker, White and Krell also hit safely.
Mangskau went seven innings on the mound, striking out 10 while allowing three earned runs on seven hits. He walked two while taking the loss. Rosacker and Parpart relieved him in the eighth.
“Mangskau had a solid performance on the mound,” said Reese. “White had a good day at the plate. Defensively, Haberman played well at first base. Right now, were are stressing to throw strikes and make the routine plays.”