- Details
- Hits: 642
By MARK DOMEIER
Contributing writer
The Quad Cities Baseball Association hosted the end of the year baseball tournament for 10U baseball July 10-11 in New Richland. The QCBA had games planned for Friday night, but the deluge of water from the skies postponed the start until Saturday morning.
Eleven teams came to New Richland over the weekend and enjoyed some exciting baseball. The #6 seed St. Peter lost to the #11 seed Waseca Gold, and the #7 seed Albert Lea Red beat the #2 team Waseca Blue, showing that any team can win on any given day. By the time Sunday rolled around, there were only a few games left. Albert Lea Red continued their roll, winning the 3rd place game 3-2 over USC, the #4 seed.
The championship game highlighted the #3 seed Albert Lea Blue against the hosts and #1 seed QCBA team. It was a fast-paced and exciting affair, with a huge crowd on hand cheering on both teams; the foul lines and behind home plate were packed. Albert Lea took a 1-0 lead early, but QCBA tied it an inning later on a steal of home. QCBA then took the lead 5-1 in the fourth inning on some good hitting and aggressive baserunning.
- Details
- Hits: 818
2021 NRHEG Softball team, back row, from left: Coach Wendy Schultz, Grace Tufte, Hallie Schultz, Preslie Nielsen, Bree Ihrke, Ava Kyllo, Brenna Sommer, Brenlee Knudson, Madison Johannsen, Kylie Doyle, and assistant coach Nate Jensen. Front row, from left: Faith Nielsen, Sidney Schultz, Anna Jacobson, Cloie Arndt, Haley VanWinkle, Sophie Stork, Anna Peterson, and manager Carla Doyle.
They say that all good things must end. Last Tuesday saw the unfortunate end to an incredible season by the NRHEG softball team.
Last week was full of highs and lows for the Panthers, but ultimately ended in heartbreak.
The Panthers rallied from a 4-2 deficit to defeat LCWM 6-4 Tuesday, June 8 at Caswell Park in Mankato. They went on to fall 1-0 to Belle Plaine in a game uncharacteristically defined by missed chances.
"I am so proud of the girls and how hard they fought through the entire tournament and, for that matter, for the entire season," said coach Wendy Schultz, whose team finished 22-4 overall and 12-2 in the Gopher Conference.
Schultz said one word comes to mind that describes the 2021 Panthers: pretty.
"Because of their hard work, we enjoyed a successful season," she said. "We are going to miss our three seniors. They put in countless hours in the off-season to improve their softball skills and did so much for our softball program."
According to Schultz, almost everybody did something in the Panthers' victory over LCWM.
"It was a total team win!" said the coach.
- Details
- Hits: 432
The NRHEG track and field teams saw their season end at the Section 2A meet at Mankato West High School Saturday, June 12.
The Panthers' best place was sixth, by Daniel Nydegger in the 800 meters, with a time of 2:10.65; and the girls' 4x800 relay team of Journey Utpadel, Quinn VanMaldeghem, Torri Vaale and Evelyn Nydegger. They clocked 10:55.65.
"It was a very warm day in Mankato," said coach Duey Ferber. "We saw a few personal records."
VanMaldeghem was eighth in the 3200 in 13:01.99 while the boys' 4x400 team took eighth in 3:46.2. The relay included Nik Petsinger, Sawyer Prigge, Max Seltun and Nydegger.
Prigge high-jumped 5-6 for ninth place. Jaxon Beck also cleared 5-6, but placed 10th because he had more misses. Also taking 10th were William Tuttle, 110 high hurdles, 17.92; and Seltun, 100, 12.3.
Other Panther placewinners: Natalie Johnson, 11th, 300 hurdles, 53.69; Vaale, 14th, 800, 6:18.07; and Kyra Spies, 15th, 100, 14.51.
"Overall, it was a good day," said Coach Ferber. "But we did not qualify anyone for the state meet."
The Panthers graduated four seniors, Max Selton, Caden Riewer, Brandon Howieson and Daniel Nydegger.