Two more one-run losses leave NRHEG girls with 4-3 record
If it weren’t for one-run losses, the NRHEG softball team would be undefeated.
As it is, the Panthers stand 4-3, their latest one-run loss coming in the opening round of Saturday’s Panther Invitational at Legion Field, 12-11 in nine innings to Belle Plaine.
“This was a rollercoaster of a game,” said coach Wendy Schultz. “We dug ourselves into a hole and fought our way back.”
Trailing by seven runs entering the seventh, the Panthers plated seven runs by stringing together six consecutive hits.
“I was proud of the way the girls never gave up,” said Schultz. “Unfortunately, we wouldn’t have been in that situation if we didn’t have so many errors. We definitely need to improve our defense. Our hitting and pitching has been keeping us in games. Belle Plaine is a solid team.”Schultz said freshman Grace Johns did a great job catching her first varsity game as an injury replacement.
Offensive leaders: Anna Stork 4-for-6, three runs, one RBI; Jade Schultz 3-for-5, three RBIs; Alyssa Esplan 3-for-6, two doubles, four RBIs. Adding one hit and one run each: Johns, Ryann Hagen, Torrie Stencel, Kelli Harrington, Anna Lundberg, Kayley Camerer.
Schultz pitched all nine innings, allowing five earned runs on 13 hits. She struck out 16 and walked eight.
The Panthers defeated Sibley East 14-6 in the third-place game.
“The girls hit very well,” said Coach Schultz. “Our top four batters had 12 of our 17 hits.”
The leaders: Esplan 4-for-5, three triples, three runs; Schultz 4-for-4, four RBIs, three runs; Camerer 2-for-4, triple, two RBIs, two runs; Harrington 2-for-4; Stork 2-for-5, double, two runs; Lundberg 1-for-4.
Schultz struck out eight, walked nobody and allowed two earned runs on nine hits.
On Tuesday of last week the Panthers played two games at Legion Field, falling 6-5 to Randolph shutting out Blue Earth Area 9-0.
Leaders against Randolph: Stork 2-for-3, three runs; Schultz 2-for-4, double, one RBI; Camerer 2-for-4, one RBI. Lundberg, Hagen and Johns had one hit each.
Two of the runs against Schultz were earned as she struck out three and walked six while allowing six hits.
“Randolph hit the ball well and played good defense, but we feel like we let this one slip away,” said Coach Schultz. “We definitely made some base running errors and had mental errors that were very costly. We are hoping to learn from our mistakes.”
Jade Schultz was in command against BEA, giving up only two hits with 12 strikeouts and two walks.
Offensively: Stork 2-for-4, two RBIs; Esplan 2-for-4, two RBIs; Hagen 2-for-3, two RBIs; Johns 2-for-3; Stencel 2-for-3; Camerer 1-for-3; Schultz 1-for-3; Lundberg 1-for-3; Harrington 1-for-3.
“We played better this game,” said Coach Schultz. “Every batter got at least one hit and scored one run. Jade pitched well. It was nice to see the girls bounce back.”