By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
Monday was supposed to be a home game for the NRHEG High School softball team.
Instead, thanks to several inches of water covering New Richland's Legion Field, the Panthers traveled to Mapleton, where they dropped a 7-2 decision to Maple River.
"Unfortunately, this was not a well played game on our part," said Panthers coach Wendy Schultz. "Defensively, we were flat. Offensively, we didn't hit well either. We played flat. Hopefully, we can bounce back and get to playing well."
Isabel Stadheim and Camryn VanMaldeghem had two hits apiece, with one each by Hallie Schultz and Addy Stadheim.
Hallie Schultz and Bree Ihrke drove in runs. Faith Nielsen pitched for the Panthers. She gave up four earned runs on eight hits, with 10 strikeouts and two walks.
The Panthers faced Blooming Prairie at the University of Minnesota's softball stadium Tuesday, May 9 and came up short 12-8 in eight innings.
"Unfortunately, we left way too many baserunners in scoring position and couldn't get the key hit when we needed to," said Coach Schultz. "Our baserunning didn't help the situation either. Hats off to Blooming Prairie and Snyder for getting the clutch hits in the bottom of the eighth inning."
Sidney Schultz belted a double and a triple while 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Amanda Howe and Faith Nielsen each had two hits, with one each from Isabel Stadheim, Addy Stadheim, Paige Nielsen, VanValdeghem, Hallie Schultz and Bree Ihrke. Isabel stadheim stole three bases.
Faith Nielsen took the pitching loss, giving up nine earned runs on 12 hits. She walked three and fanned three.
The Panthers pounded JWP 14-4 in six innings May 4.
Faith Nielsen was 2-for-4 with a double, two runs and two RBIs. Isabel Stadheim went 2-for-4 with four stolen bases and two runs, Sidney Schultz 2-for-4 with two runs, Hallie Schultz 2-for-4 with two runs. VanMaldeghem, Howe, Ihrke and Faith Nielsen contributed one hit apiece.
Faith Nielsen was the losing pitcher, allow- ing four earned runs on nine hits, with five strikeouts and two walks.
"It was a good team win," said Coach Schultz. "We came out in the first inning and got nine hits, leading to six runs. Our bats were pretty quiet until the sixth inning, when we scored seven runs. We had some nice defensive plays by Addy Stadheim at catcher, Isabel Stadheim in center field, as well as a double play by Sid Schultz and a diving stop by Hallie Schultz at second base to stop a run from scoring."
Sidney Schultz is Coach Schultz's daughter. Hallie is her niece.
The Panthers, 7-6 overall and 4-4 in the Gopher Conference, faced USC at home Tuesday, May 16. They play Thursday at Medford and host Southland Friday. The section tournament starts next week.