BLUE EARTH – In almost every way possible, the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva softball team played well enough to win.

Defense was the downfall.

The Panthers committed four costly errors and lost 7-6 in eight innings in a nonconference game at Blue Earth Area Tuesday.

“We made so many great plays,” said NRHEG coach Wendy Schultz. “We just had a few little small things that cost us. I’m glad it’s the beginning of the season. We can learn from those mistakes and go from there.”

It was a tough loss because the Panthers took a 6-4 lead into the bottom of the seventh, when the Bucs reach base on a leadoff error and went on to tie it with two runs. The gamewinner scored in the bottom of the eighth on a walk and a double by the No. 8 batter.

The Panthers outhit the Bucs 12-9 and Schultz said all were solid.

“All 12 hits were line drives into the outfield,” said Schultz. “We hit the ball well.”

Rachel Andree was 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Erin Anderson was also 3-for-4, Emily Hagen 2-for-4 with one RBI. Jenny Golhofer tripled and drove in a run, Jenny Schroeder doubled home a run. Chelsea Quiram and Lindsey Hendrickson also had hits.

Anderson pitched a complete game, striking out two and walking four. The Bucs’ Betsy Collins had 11 strikeouts and one walk.

A day earlier, Anderson pitched a five-inning no-hitter as the Panthers defeated Medford 11-1. It was the first no-hitter of the season for the sophomore and the seventh of her career.

The Panthers, 2-2 overall and 2-0 in the Gopher Conference, return to conference play Thursday at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown.