NEW RICHLAND &045; For years, they were in the same conference and met at least twice each season, but last spring the Glenville-Emmons and New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva softball teams did not play.

Apparently, it hasn’t affected their spirited rivalry.

In a classic pitcher’s duel, the Panthers scored twice in their final at-bat to edge the visiting Wolverines 2-1 at New Richland Friday.

&uot;It was just a great team win,&uot; said Panthers coach Wendy Schultz. &uot;The girls never gave up. It’s nice to win by one instead of losing by one for a change.&uot;

&uot;It was a good ballgame,&uot; said G-E coach Bob Staska. &uot;If we had only played six innings, it would have been better.&uot;

The Wolverines got their run in the top of the first, when Megan Avery singled with two outs and, on an error, advanced to third. She scored on the Panthers’ only other error.

Erin Anderson and Jenny Schroeder had back-to-back singles to start the Panthers’ seventh. Emily Hagen advanced both with a sacrifice bunt. Anderson scored on a ground out by Jenny Golhofer to tie it. Schroeder scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch.

Anderson was 2-for-3 for the game. Chelsea Quiram had the Panthers’ other hit.

Anderson struck out 12 and walked three in seven innings.

Her counterpart, Jill Delger, also went the distance. She fanned two and didn’t walk anyone.

The Panthers, 7-5, host Alden-Conger Tuesday while the 11-7 Wolverines play a doubleheader at Houston on Monday.

G-E

100

000

0 &045; 1

2

2

NRHEG

000

000

2 &045; 2

4

2

WP &045; Erin Anderson

LP &045; Jill Delger