Softball Panthers shore up defense entering playoffs
By JIM LUTGENS
Sports Editor
It looks like the NRHEG softball team is ready for post-season play.
The Panthers completed a two- win week Friday with a 21-3, four- inning triumph over Kenyon- Wanamingo. The lone blemish for the week was a 2-1 loss to United South Central in which the Panthers committed five errors to the Rebels' one.
There were plenty of hitting heroes at Kasson, where the Panthers plated 10 runs in the top of the first inning and nine in the second.
Camryn VanMaldeghem was 2- for-3 with four RBIs, three stolen bases and three runs scored. Faith Nielsen went 2-for-4 with a double, three runs and two RBIs, Trinity Smith-Vulcan 2-for-3 with four RBIs and two runs, Hallie Schultz 2- for-4 with three RBIs and two runs. Addy Stadheim was 2-for-3 with two runs, Presley Nielsen 2-for-4 with two runs. Sidney Schultz and Bree Ihrke both scored two runs.
Faith Neilsen was the winning pitcher, allowing two earned runs on four hits. She walked one and struck out five.
"The girls hit well and played great defense tonight as well as took advantage of Keyon-Wanamingo's miscues," said NRHEG coach Wendy Schultz. "The girls hit well, totaling 12 hits in four innings. The past two games the girls have really stepped up their defense. It's a great way to head into the playoffs."
The Panthers turned back Medford 4-1 last Thursday.
VanMaldeghem was 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, Faith Nielsen 2- for-4; both doubled. Sidney Schultz was 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Ihrke also hit safely.
Faith Nielsen scattered six hits and two walks, with one strikeout.
"The girls played great defense and made some big catches and plays," said Coach Schultz.
Top defensive plays included a first-inning throw from VanMaldeghem to Addy Stadheim to get the out at home, a couple nice catches by Smith-Vulcan and Ihrke in the outfield, and a line-drive dou- ble play by Sidney Schultz.
"Cam, Faith and Sid were consis- tent at the plate tonight," said Coach Schultz. "Faith and Addy continue to be a solid battery."
The Panthers were nipped by USC at Wells last Tuesday, when they plagued by defensive woes.
"This was a closely played game that we felt we could have won," said Coach Schultz. "We had two costly miscues that led to USC scoring. We’ll keep plugging away at practice and hope we cut down on errors."
VanMaldeghem, Hallie Schultz and Addy Stadheim had NRHEG's lone hits.
Faith Nielsen yielded no earned runs on six hits, walking two and fanning six.
The Panthers, 9-7 overall and 6-5 in the Gopher Conference, opened sub-section play Thursday, May 25. The tournament continues this weekend at Caswell Park in Mankato.