FARIBAULT – It was not a good combination for the NRHEG baseball team.

Tuesday, April 10, 2001

FARIBAULT – It was not a good combination for the NRHEG baseball team.

The Panthers opened the season Monday at conference favorite Faribault Academies without having had any outdoor practice and with their No. 1 pitcher playing shortstop because of an injury.

The result was a 13-3, five-inning setback.

&uot;Defensively, we played pretty solid,&uot; said Panthers coach Jeff Reese. &uot;But they hit the ball well. They’re going to be one of the top teams in the conference.&uot;

One of the top pitchers in the conference, senior Tony Schlaak, was unable to start on the mound for the Panthers because of an injury sustained during his state-championship wrestling season.

Schlaak had two of the Panthers’ three hits. Zach Jacobson got the other.

The Panthers had problems at the plate, according to Reese, striking out for 12 of their 15 outs.

Clark Field started and took the pitching loss, going two-plus innings. Jens Wyrum and Seth Tukua pitched in relief.

The Panthers are off until Monday when they travel to Austin.