Camerer, Lundberg homer at Hayfield; section starts this week
The NRHEG softball team enjoyed a perfect week, but it wasn’t always easy.
The Panthers had to rally past and hold off opponents while finishing the regular season on a winning streak.
The Panthers, 15-5 overall, finished 4-2 in the Gopher Conference.
NRHEG 6, Blooming Prairie 5
The big hit was delivered by Grace Johns with two outs in the fourth inning at Blooming Prairie Monday, May 16.
Johns’ single cleared the bases and was one of her two hits. Paige Knudson and Gabby Muri also had two hits each, Natalie Aaseth one.
Anna Lundberg was the winning pitcher, allowing three earned runs on nine hits, striking out six and walking two.
“Blooming Prairie is a much improved team from the first time we played them,” said NRHEG coach Wendy Schultz.
NRHEG 11, Bethlehem Academy 4
The Panthers finally avenged a season-opening loss, winning at Faribault on Tuesday.
NRHEG outhit BA 19-8. Leaders: Johns 4-for-5, triple, four RBIs; Knudson 4-for-5, two stolen bases; Lundberg 3-for-4, three RBIs; Rachel Collins 2-for-4; Muri 2-for-5; Torrie Stencel 2-for-5; Kayley Camerer 1-for-5; Aaseth 1-for-4.
Lundberg gave up one earned run while fanning five and walking two.
“The girls did a great job hitting,” said Schultz. “Defensively, we played pretty well. Our outfielders made some great catches that could have turned into big hits if they weren’t caught. The girls played seven games in six days. I’m proud of the way they continue to work hard and get after it.”
NRHEG 7, Maple River 4
The Panthers led 1-0 after three innings before putting it away with two in the fourth and four in the fifth at New Richland Thursday.
Lundberg scattered eight hits, allowing four earned runs while striking out six and walking three.
Offensive leaders: Camerer 2-for-3; Knudson 2-for-4; Aaseth 1-for-3, double, three RBIs. Adding one hit each were Stencel, Muri, Collins, Johns, Lundberg and Skylar Lembke.
“It was a great team win,” said Schultz. “The girls played really well defensively. We hit the ball fairly well and got hits when we needed to.”
Hayfield Invitational
The Panthers played in a tournament Saturday, May 14 and won two of three games for second place at Hayfield.
After defeating GFW 9-0 and Hayfield 9-6, the Panthers fell 9-1 to New York Mills in the title game.
Leaders vs. GFW: Camerer 2-for-4, two home runs, double, three RBIs; Johns 2-for-4; Lembke 3-for-3; vs. Hayfield: Camerer 3-for-3, four RBIs, three runs; Lundberg 2-for-2, home run; Johns 2-for-4; vs. New York Mills: Muri 3-for-3, Knudson 2-for-2.
“It was pretty cool to see Kayley hit two home runs over the fence in one game, the second time she’s done that this season,” said Schultz. “There’s a reason NYM is undefeated and ranked No. 2 in the state. It was fun to be able to play in the championship game.”
The Panthers are seeded No. 7 in the Section 2AA tournament and hosted No. 10 seed Maple River Tuesday in the opening round. A win pits the panthers against No. 2 Jordan (17-3) and No. 15 Blue Earth Area (2-15) Thursday, May 26 at the site of the high seed. The winner there advances to the section’s final four Saturday, May 28 at Caswell Park in Mankato.