When they started the season winning one of three games, you had to wonder what kind of year it would be for first-year head coach Coy Hupfeld and the NRHEG High School softball team.
Since then there’s been little doubt.
The Panthers ended the regular season last week with a pair of victories, extending their winning streak to six games. They’re 12-3 overall, 6-1 in the Gopher Conference, having won 11 of 12 since starting the season 1-2. They opened sub-section play Tuesday. The Panthers finished in a three-way tie for the conference championship.
NRHEG 15, Medford 5 (Five innings)
The Panthers hosted the Tigers Monday, May 11 and came away with an easy five-inning victory.
NRHEG scored 11 runs in the second inning, all with two outs, to take control of the game. Medford struggled to throw strikes, issuing 11 walks, and the Panthers had some key hits to keep the momentum going.Grace Johns reached base in all three at-bats, two of them being solidly hit balls that drove in three runs. Anna Stork also had a two-run single that started the scoring for the Panthers.
From there on, Panther pitching shut down Medford. Anna Lundberg started and went two innings. Natalie Aaseth went the final three. They combined to allow no hits and three walks.
Adding one hit each for NRHEG were Alyssa Esplan, Kayley Camerer and Rachel Collins. Kelli Harrington stole two bases and scored two runs.
NRHEG 8, Bl. Prairie 2
The Panthers didn't have the big inning but constantly put pressure on the Blossoms by pushing across a run or two almost each inning at Blooming Prairie Friday.
“We did a great job in getting the leadoff batter on base almost every inning and from there on we had a couple of terrific bunts and two sac flies that were key for us,” said Hupfeld.
The biggest hit was Camerer's double in the third that drove a run in; she would later score herself.
Lundberg did a great job in making Blooming earn their way on. A two-out mistake pitch in the sixth ended up being a two-run home run, but she battled back and the defense was stellar behind her.
Johns was 2-for-3, Camerer 2-for-4. Collins, Harrington, Stork and Torrie Stencel each added one hit.
The Panthers are seeded No. 2 in south half of Section 2A and hosted No. 7 seed TCU Tuesday. A win has the Panthers hosting No. 3 Maple River or No. 6 Waseca Thursday, May 21 at 5 p.m., with the winner there playing Saturday at Caswell Park in North Mankato.