Don’t look now, but the NRHEG softball team is playing pretty well.
The Panthers, under first-year head coach Coy Hupfeld, improved to 2-2 overall and 2-1 in the Gopher Conference by winning two of three games in recent play.
The Panthers defeated Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 5-3 and defeated Blue Earth Area 8-3 while falling 3-0 to Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial.
NRHEG 5, WEM 3
Pitching and defense helped the Panthers pick up the first varsity career coaching victory for Hupfeld at New Richland’s Legion Field Monday, April 13.
The Panthers got a stellar performance from sophomore Anna Lundberg on the mound, where she allowed three earned runs on eight hits, with four strikeouts and five walks.
“She went up against a tough lineup but was able to keep us in the game,” said Hupfeld.
The Panthers had a big fourth inning, when they scored four times. With the bases loaded and one out, Anna Stork delivered a two-run single. Kayley Camerer hit a big double and with heads-up baserunning was able to, as Hupfeld said, “push herself across the plate.”
A staunch NRHEG defense held off a seventh inning rally by the Bucs.
Stork had two of the Panthers’ seven hits, with one each going to Camerer, Kelli Harrington, Jade Peterson, Ryann Hagen and Rachel Collins. The Panthers walked twice and struck out eight times.
LCWM 3, NRHEG 0
The Panthers fell behind 2-0 in the top of the first and could not overcome it at Legion Field Thursday, April 16.
After a slow start, Lundberg found her pace on the mound and kept the Panthers in the game.
“She was able to keep the ball on the infield for the most part and Torrie Stencel and Ryann Hagen made miraculous plays in the outfield to keep runs off the board,” said Hupfeld.
LCWM’s Sorenson dominated the NRHEG lineup, allowing only one hit and striking out 15.
“We never really got anything going on offense and that's attributed to Lake Crystal's pitching and solid defense,” said Hupfeld.
Peterson had the Panthers’ lone hit.
Lundberg finished with two strikeouts and one walk while giving up two earned runs in seven innings.
NRHEG 8, Blue Earth Area 3
Powered by two big innings, the Panthers never trailed while winning a nonconference game at Blue Earth Friday, April 17.
The Panthers started quickly, walking the bases loaded in the top of the first inning while scoring four runs.
The NRHEG bats were quieted for a few innings before Harrington ripped a double in the fourth, quickly scoring on a two-strike double by Stencel. She went on to score along with two others in that inning.
“Blue Earth chipped away at our lead but were never able to get within striking distance,” said Hupfeld.
Harrington and Peterson went 2-for-4, with Harrington scoring twice and Peterson once. The other hits went to Stencel, Camerer and Alyssa Esplan.
Lundberg again went the distance on the mound. She gave up two earned runs on nine hits, walking four and striking out seven.