ALDEN &045; It took nine innings for the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva softball team to defeat Alden-Conger 6-5 Thursday.

&uot;Both teams played well in a very good game,&uot; said Panthers coach Wendy Schultz.

Emily Hagen scored the winning run in the top of the ninth inning on a triple by Erin Anderson.

The Panthers had 11 hits and committed only one error to improve to 4-1 for the season.

Winning pitcher Hagen allowed nine hits and had 11 strikeouts.

Steph Lackey went the distance on the mound for the Knights, giving up 13 hits and two walks, with five strikeouts. Only one of the runs off her was earned as the Knights committed three errors.

Kendra Mathiason had three hits and four stolen bases for the Knights. Kristen Faugstad and Erin Bremseth each had two hits. Adding one hit each were Angie Wichmann, Tana Reindl, Kenzie Johnson and Heather Haukoos.

&uot;The girls came out with a lot of intensity and played a good game,&uot; said Knights assistant coach Sam Hintz. &uot;We cut down on our mental mistakes from the last game. It was a great effort.&uot;

The Knights, 1-3, play in the Lyle/Pacelli Invitational Saturday. NRHEG plays Monday at Wells.