By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
NRHEG pitcher Sam Olson was nearly perfect against Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, tossing a no- hitter, allowing only two baserunners, one via error and another a walk in the final inning of a 14-0 win by the Panthers at home Tuesday, April 25.
“They told me in the fourth inning, and I was just like, ‘Don’t jinx it!’” Olson said after the game. “I just threw the ball. I didn’t really think about it. I just wanted to get strikes and get them out.”
NRHEG coach Mark Lee said it was probably the most efficient ball game he’s seen pitched. Olson needed only 61 pitches to retire the Buccaneers.
“I feel like I’m faster than most pitchers,” Olson said. “They take their time and I just try to get throw- ing as fast as I can.”
“I’m really proud of Sam,” Lee added. “He’s really worked hard this spring and it showed today and the last two days, including at the plate”
Timely two-out hitting put the Panthers ahead early. Six of their first seven runs came with two outs across the first two innings of work.
Olson reached in all three plate appearances, knock- ing in one, walking twice and scoring two runs. Also having a perfect day at the plate was Alden Dobberstein, who went 2-2 with a double, two walks, and three runs scored. Adding one hit apiece were Andrew Phillips, Daxter Lee, Jared Lee, and Jace Ihrke.
Monday night wasn't a textbook win by any means for the Panthers. But it was a win. And that's what they were looking for.
Dobberstein walked, advanced on two wild pitches and scored on a balk as the Panthers prevailed 3-2 at Martin Luther Monday.
Coach Lee called it a crazy game, which included a triple play pulled off by the Panthers.
"I still don't know how that happened," said Lee.
The Panthers were tied 2-2 before Dobberstein's baserunning clinic in the top of the sixth inning.
"It was a great read by Alden, great baserunning," said Lee.
Jackson Chrz started on the mound for NRHEG and was sharp, giving up two earned runs on four hits, with four walks and two strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Olson struck out four and did not allow a hit while earning the save. Two Martin Luther pitchers combined to allow four hits and two walks while striking out 10.
Chrz was the only Panther with more than one hit, going 2-for-3. Ethan Thompson and Jace Ihrke had one hit each.
Tuesday, April 18 was a great day for baseball. But not necessarily a great day to be an NRHEG Panther. The Panthers faced the state's No. 1 ranked Class A team, Randolph, and offense was tough to come by as they struck out looking eight times and lost 7-4.
"We need to work on fixing the little things," said Coach Lee. "Striking out looking less, and putting the ball in play."
Daxter Lee started on the mound for the Panthers and, despite not having his best stuff, kept the Rockets off balance most of the game. He went 5 1/3 innings, giving up four earned runs on five hits and two walks. He fanned five. Chrz finished up on the mound, surrendering one run.
The Panthers did not score until the top of the sixth.
Lee was the lone Panther with more than one hit, going 2-for-4 while scoring twice. Phillips tripled and scored. Dobberstein hit safely and walked twice.
Coltyn Newborg led Randolph with two hits. Evan Bennerotte was the winning pitcher.
The Panthers sailed to an easy 11-2 victory over Bloomiung Prairie Thursday, April 27.
Dobberstein got it started with an RBI single in the first.
NRHEG plated four runs in the sixth, led by RBI hits from Dobberstein and Chrz.
Daxter Lee got the pitching win. Jared Lee and Phillips pitched in relief.
Dobberstein finished 3-for-5 with five RBIs. Phillips and Thompson both went 2-for-4. The other NRHEG hits went to Daxter Lee and his little brother Jared Lee. Daxter Lee stole six bases and scorted four runs.
The Panthers defeated Hayfield Monday, May 1. The bats were led by Thompson, Phillips, Jared Lee and Seth Staloch. Phillips drove in four runs. Daxter Lee started on the mound, with Olson getting the win in relief.
“It wasn’t pretty, but it was a ‘W’,” said Coach Lee. The Panthers play Thursday, May 4 at JWP.