NRHEG Star Eagle

137 Years Serving the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Area
Newspaper of Record for NRHEG School District
Newspaper of Record for Waseca County, MN
PO Box 248 • New Richland, MN 56072

507-463-8112
email: steagle@hickorytech.net
Published every Thursday
Yearly Subscription: Waseca, Steele, and Freeborn counties: $52
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WORDS OF WISCOM — NRHEG softball coach Wendy Schultz addresses the NRHEG softball team after its season-opening, five-inning 13-0 loss to No. 1 ranked Randolph Monday,, April 17 at Legion Field. Below left, Faith Nielsen delivers a pitch. Below right, Erin Peterson bunts. Whatever Coach Schultz said must have worked. The Panthers bounced back to win 19-1 in five innings at Triton on Friday. Photos by Judy Tweeten

By JIM LUTGENS

Sports Editor

For the NRHEG High School softball team, it was the exact opposite of the season opener.

The Panthers, who were soundly subdued by the state's top-ranked team earlier in the week, bounced back with a one-sided 19-1, five-inning victory over Triton at Dodge Center Friday, April 14.

"This was a great team win," said NRHEG coach Wendy Schultz.

The Panthers were proficient both pitching and hitting the ball.

By ELI LUTGENS

Publisher/Editor

Not to be overshadowed by the return of legendary coach Jeff Reese, the NRHEG Panthers sailed to a 5-2 win over Blue Earth in their opener Tuesday.

Reese returned home about a month ago and joined the team as an assistant about two weeks ago. The 1973 New Richland-Hartland high school graduate began his coaching career in New Richland in 1979, coaching until his retirement in 2013. Reese most recently coached baseball for Mankato Loyola, officially retiring after last season. 

“The story isn’t me, it’s the kids,” Reese pointed out. “This is a special group.”

Reese returns as assistant, battles cancer

Editorial note: Part 1 of 2. A portion of this article was taken from a 2016 article written by Jim Lutgens when Legion Field was renamed Jeff and Carol Reese Field.

By ELI LUTGENS

Publisher/Editor

Baseball, God, family.

But not always in that order.

Those three pillars have guided the life of legendary NRHEG baseball coach Jeff Reese for more than 40 years.

Fans attending the Panthers' home opener last Tuesday were welcomed to a surprise as Reese's name was announced as an “assistant coach.”

“I still get goosebumps and butterflies,” Reese said. “I guess when I lose that it’s time to stay home… I always wanted to finish up here. I’m always a Cardinal or Panther in the heart.”