NRHEG goes farther than any team in school history
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
At the start of the season, competing for a section championship might have seemed a lofty goal for a young NRHEG High School softball team.
But that’s what the Panthers were doing last week at Caswell Park in Mankato.
NRHEG, which started only one senior, won its first game but dropped the second May 28, settling for third place in Section 2AA. They finished 19-6.
“Three of those losses were by one run,” said coach Wendy Schultz. “I couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls to coach.”
Schultz said she’ll miss the Panthers’ graduating senior, Alexis Anderson, but she can’t help but be excited by the fact they started two eighth-graders, three freshmen and three sophomores.
That crew defeated Cannon Falls 3-1 in the first game last Tuesday, avenging an extra-inning loss that put the Panthers in the loser’s bracket.
Sophie Stork pitched a two-hitter, striking out six and walking four.
Sidney Schultz and Ava Kyllo had NRHEG’s lone hits. The RBIs went to Kyllo, Stork and Anderson.
“It was a good team win,” said Coach Schultz. “We were able to jump out on top in the first inning with a couple runs and added another in the second. The girls played great defense, committing no errors. The battery of Sophie and Cloie (Arndt) worked well together. It was good to avenge the loss to Cannon Falls.”
The Panthers were blanked 4-0 by St. Peter. NRHEG’s hits went to Stork, Paige Knudson, Madi Knudson and Sarah Johns.
Stork took the pitching loss, giving up one earned run on five hits, with four walks and four strikeouts.
“Unfortunately, we had a few miscues on defense, but you have to give credit to St. Peter as they played error-free,” said Coach Schultz. “We had some hard hits, but St. Peter made the plays. You never want to see your season end, but I’m so proud of the way the girls played.”
The Panthers, seeded fourth, advanced farther in postseason play than any softball team in school history.