Bats mostly silent as NRHEG softball team falls 9-3 to WEM
All season long, the NRHEG softball team had hopes of capturing at least a share of the Gopher Conference championship.
Those hopes lasted until the final day of the regular season.
The 2019 conference crown was decided on New Richland’s Legion Field May 17 as the Panthers lost 9-3 to WEM, which improved to 18-0 overall and finished 14-0 in the conference while NRHEG fell to 15-4 and 12-2.
The Panthers scored three times in the fifth to tie it, but the Bucs answered with three in the fifth and three more in the sixth.
“We couldn’t get the bats going until later in the game,” said coach Wendy Schultz. “We only had one hit until the fifth inning. We have to give credit to WEM as they were on with their hitting. We look to regroup and hope to be playing our best ball in playoffs next week.”
Madi Knudson was 2-for-3, Ava Kyllo 2-for-4. Sophie Stork took the pitching loss.
NRHEG 3, Bethlehem Academy 0
The Panthers needed only five innings to dispatch the Cardinals at Legion Field May 16.
Stork was dominant, fanning 13 and walking one while allowing only one hit. She also doubled and scored. Sidney Schultz and Kyllo had the other hits.
“Sophie pitched another great game,” said Coach Schultz. “Ava and Sid used their speed and were able to get on base to score a couple runs.”
NRHEG 6, Hayfield 2
The Panthers won handily at Legion Field May 14.
Stork struck out 15 and allowed four hits. She was 2-for-3 and scored twice.
Sarah Johns, Alexis Anderson, Cloie Arndt, Paige Knudson and Schultz had the Panthers’ other hits.
“It was a good win after playing three games in five days,” said Coach Schultz.
NRHEG 14, Blooming Prairie 0
Paige Knudson was the star at Blooming Prairie May 13. The senior went 2-for-3 with a home run, a triple, two RBIs and three runs scored. Arndt went 3-for-4 and scored three times, Erin Jacobson 3-for-3, Schultz 2-for-4 and Kyllo 2-for-4. Schultz drove in three runs.
Stork gave up three hits, striking out five and walking none.
“This was a good team win,” said Coach Schultz. “We were able to get a lot of offense from our entire team, which was good to see. Ava and Cloie made some great catches.”
Hayfield Invitational
The Panthers won two of three in the May 11 tournament.
They opened with a 15-0, four-inning triumph over Lyle/Austin Pacelli. Madi Knudson was 3-for-3, Kyllo 3-for-4, Arndt 2-for-3, Schultz 2-for-4, Paige Knudson 2-for-2 with a triple and three RBIs. Stork pitched a one-hitter.
“We didn’t have to play much defense as Sophie struck out seven of the 12 batters,” said Coach Schultz.
The Panthers faced an unfamiliar foe, Carlton, in the semifinals and lost 7-6.
“Carlton is a good team that is undefeated and ranked in state,” said Coach Schultz. “We definitely had our chances to win.”
Kyllo was 4-for-4, Stork 2-for-3, Madi Knudson 2-for-4, Johns 2-for-4. Stork took the pitching loss.
The Panthers rebounded to rout Houston 11-1 in six innings in the third-place game. Kyllo was 4-for-4 with three runs, Schultz 3-for-4, Arndt 3-for-4, Anderson 2-for-3, Stork 2-for-4 with a double and Madi Knudson 2-for-4 with a double. Johns pitched the last two innings for the win.
“Sarah pitched well,” said Coach Schultz. “I was proud of the way the girls played during the tourney.”