Pitching, power propels Panthers to 13-1

After suffering its first loss of the season early last week, the NRHEG softball team rebounded with three straight wins, including an 8-2 win over Medford on Thursday, May 13.
Even though it seems like the Panthers cruised to a win, it was actually the Tigers who drew first blood when Lydia Krenske scored on an RBI single by Lily Roehrick.
After not scoring in the first two innings, NRHEG offense got going when Preslie Nielsen started the third inning with a double and then scored on an RBI by Anna Jacobson to tie the game at 1-1.
In the top of the fourth inning, Panther pitcher Sophie Stork recorded her third of four straight scoreless innings.
Then, in the fourth and fifth innings, NRHEG’s offense came to life and scored six combined runs to give the Panthers a commanding 7-1 lead.
“Our battery of Sophie Stork and Cloie Arndt led the team both offensively and defensively. Sophie struck out 10 and walked only two. Cloie is solid and consistent behind the plate. We had some well-placed bunts by Faith Nielsen and Grace Tufte,” said NRHEG Head Coach Wendy Schultz “It was a total team effort to win this game.”
Medford Co-Head Coach Sean Witter added that NRHEG’s four-run fifth inning was caused by a combination of the Tigers’ mistakes and the Panthers’ offense executing.
“There were a few errors and then they had some hits and fully executed to use our disadvantage for their advantage,” he said.
Offensively, he explained that the Tigers were only able to score two runs because they couldn’t get timely hits.
“We just couldn’t put enough base runners and hits together at the same time,” he said.
NRHEG’s record is now 13-1, while Medford’s is now 4-11.
The Tigers’ next game is a home contest against Blooming Prairie at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The Panthers’ next game is also a home, but it’s against United South Central at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.
 
NRHEG batting stats: Sophie Stork – 3-for-4, 1 run scored and 2 RBI, Cloie Arndt – 3-for-4, 2 runs scored and 1 RBI, Faith Nielsen – 2-for-3, 2 RBI and 1 stolen base, Preslie Nielsen – 1-for-3 and 1 run scored, Hallie Schultz – 1-for-4, 1 run scored and 1 stolen base and Brianna Knudson – 1-for-3 and 1 RBI.
 
NRHEG pitching stats: Sophie Stork – 10 strikeouts, 2 walks and six hits allowed in 7 innings pitched.
 
Medford pitching stats: Makenzie Velishek – 3 strikeouts, 0 walks, 12 hits allowed and 5 earned runs in 6 innings pitched.