Softball Panthers go 4-0, knocking off Blooming Prairie, Maple River
It wasn’t a very good week for the NRHEG softball team.
It was a great one.
The Panthers chalked up four victories last week, topping WEM 4-0, Bethlehem Academy 7-2, Blooming Prairie 11-5 and Maple River 3-0. Coach Wendy Schultz’s squad improved to 9-3 overall and 6-1 in the Gopher Conference.
WEM
The Panthers won rather handily at Legion Field Monday.
“The girls played good defense,” said Coach Schultz. “Offensively, we hit fairly well but unfortunately stranded a lot of baserunners.”
Anna Stork was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Anna Lundberg 2-for-3. Kayley Camerer, Hanna Lundberg, Grace Johns and Jade Schultz had one hit each.Schultz threw a four-hitter for the Panthers, striking out 10 and walking two.
“Anna Stork continues to be a steady hitter for us,” said Coach Schultz. “Camerer was solid at shortstop with four assists and zero errors.”
Bethlehem Academy
In the first of two games at Legion Field Tuesday, the Panthers won with four runs in the third and three in the fourth.
Camerer, a freshman, hit her second over-the-fence home run this season, finishing 3-for-4 with three RBIs. She also doubled and scored twice.
“Kayley continues to be a dominating force at the plate,” said Coach Schultz.
Alyssa Esplan was 2-for-3 with a double, Schultz 2-for-3, Stork 2-for-4. Kelli Harrington, Ryann Hagen and Hannah Lundberg also hit safely.
Schultz was again dominant on the mound, allowing two earned runs on four hits, with nine strikeouts and three walks.
“Jade pitched well and Hannah continues to do well behind the plate,” said Coach Schultz. “It was a good team win.”
Blooming Prairie
The Panthers trailed 3-2 through five innings but broke it open with nine runs in the top of the sixth against the defending state champion Blossoms.
Schultz was again in control on the mound, giving up three earned runs on six hits, fanning nine and walking five.
The Panthers collected 11 hits. Stork was 2-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs, Anna Lundberg 2-for-4, Camerer 2-for-5. Johns doubled, drove in two runs and scored twice. Hannah Lundberg and Harrington also doubled. Schultz and Rachel Collins added one hit each.
“I was proud of the way the girls never gave up,” said Coach Schultz, who added that Blooming Prairie center fielder Bria Baldwin made two spectacular catches. Blooming’s pitcher, Elly Strunk, gave up two earned runs, struck out five and walked four.
Both teams had five errors.
Maple River
Tough defense was the key as the Panthers picked up a win against a quality program Friday at Legion Field.
“Defensively, it was the best game we’ve played all year,” said Coach Schultz. “There were many hard hit balls to our infielders and they made the plays.”
Camerer displayed her toughness by taking a cleat in the face while covering third on a steal. She got the out.
“After a deep gash, she kept playing and made the third out on the next pitch, fielding a hard grounder,” said Schultz. “Hannah made some tough fly ball catches for nice outs. Jade pitched a nice game. It was a great team win.”
Schultz allowed no earned runs on two hits. She struck out eight and walked five.
Hannah Lundberg and Schultz doubled and had two hits each. Adding one hit each were Stork, Anna Lundberg, Johns and Esplan.