NRHEG girls improve record to 5-1

The NRHEG softball team won three games rather handily last week, but they didn’t always make it easy on themselves.

On Tuesday at Legion Field, the Panthers had to rally from a 6-0 deficit after the top of the first inning before eventually 10-running Medford 16-6. They won 9-4 at St. Clair on Monday and beat Blue Earth Area 12-2 in five innings at home on Friday, improving to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Gopher Conference. The Panthers have not lost since falling in extra innings in the season opener.

NRHEG 9, St. Clair 4

The Panthers broke open a scoreless game with five runs in the third, taking a 9-0 lead before St. Clair finally scored three in the fifth.

Paige Knudson led a 12-hit attack, going 3-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored. Grace Johns was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs, Rachel Collins 3-for-4 with two runs, Skylar Lembke 2-for-3. Anna Lundberg and Kayley Camerer added one hit each.

Lundberg pitched seven innings for the win, giving up four earned runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and four walks. The Panthers backed her with errorless defense.

“It was a great team win,” said coach Wendy Schultz. “Our defense stepped up. Offensively we were able to get some decent hits. Anna and Grace had a nice night pitching and catching. It was a well played game with both teams committing no errors.”

NRHEG 16, Medford 6

After allowing six first-inning runs, the Panthers battled back, scoring three in the bottom of the first and breaking it open in the late innings, plating five runs in the fifth inning and eight in the sixth.

“I was proud of the never-give-up attitude the girls displayed,” said Schultz. “We played better defense as the game went on. Our bats came alive.”

Offensive leaders: Johns 3-for-3, double, triple, two RBIs, three runs; Camerer 2-for-3, double, two RBIs, three runs; Collins 3-for-4, three runs, four stolen bases; Lundberg 2-for-4, two RBIs, two runs; Knudson 2-for-4, double, two RBIs, two runs; Torrie Stencel 2-for-4; Gabby Muri 1-for-4; Lembke 1-for-4.

Lundberg allowed five earned runs, striking out eight and walking one while giving up eight hits.

NRHEG 12, Blue Earth Area 2

The Panthers scored early and often, taking an 8-1 lead after two innings.

Lundberg tossed a four-hitter, allowing one earned runs while fanning three and walking three. The Panthers had three errors, BEA five.

Collins was 2-for-3 with two runs, Muri 2-for-3 with a double, Camerer 1-for-3 with a double and three RBIs, Knudson 1-for-2, Stencel 2-for-3, Lembke 1-for-3.

“It was a good team win,” said Schultz. “The girls hit fairly well when they needed to. Defensively, we played O.K. It was a beautiful day to play ball.”