The NRHEG softball team lost its season opener to Faribault Academies 10-4 in nine innings Monday, April 4 at Legion Field.
The Panthers scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to send it to extra innings, but the Cardinals won it with six in the top of the ninth.
Torrie Stencel was 2-for-3 for the Panthers, Grace Johns 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Rachel Collins went 2-for-5 and scored twice. Natalie Aaseth, Gabi Muri, Anna Lundberg and Kylie Arndt added one hit each.
Lundberg took the pitching loss, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits, with seven strikeouts and five walks. The Panthers had five errors.“Overall, I was pleased with the way the girls played,” said coach Wendy Schultz. “We are a very young team with many new girls in new positions. We missed out on some scoring opportunities along the way. I’m proud of the way the girls never gave up. We have to give credit to FBA. They hit the ball well and played errorless defense. We will continue to work hard at practice hopefully make improvements.”
The Panthers play in the Martin County West Invitational at Welcome Saturday.