NRHEG, Owatonna Baseball Win Openers

Teams gleefully took the field Tuesday across southern Minnesota in what was the opener for many. NRHEG beat Blooming Prairie 12-3 in the Panthers season opener. Owatonna swept a doubleheader 11-3 and 8-3 to open their campaign. The Panthers and Huskies each had a home run as part of their offensive attack.

NRHEG got off to a quick start at BP with a three-run first thanks to some walks. However, the Awesome Blossoms responded with a three spot of their own in the bottom of the inning, but those were the last runs for Blooming Prairie. Cole Staloch put NRHEG back in front with a two-run homer in the second. Jake Tasker got the win for the Panthers, giving up two hits, no earned runs and striking out eight. NRHEG (1-0) plays at Faribault Bethlehem Academy Thursday. Blooming Prairie (1-1) hosts Maple River in a doubleheader Saturday at 11AM.

Owatonna gave up a first-inning run to Mankato East Tuesday at Fuller Field at Dartt's Park, but grabbed the lead for good with a three-run first frame. The Huskies won the first game 11-3 for a conference victory. Tucker Alstead homered and doubled. Brady Schuster earned the pitching win. Both plan to play college baseball. Alstead has committed to St. Cloud State. Schuster will play for Bethany in Mankato.

In the second game, a non-conference affair, Noah Budach had two hits and got the pitching win in the Huskies' 8-3 triumph.

OHS (2-0) plays at Rochester Mayo Thursday in a 4:30 doubleheader with coverage on KRFO AM 1390 and the KRFO app. It was originally scheduled as a single game, but a second contest was added when Owatonna and Mayo had to cancel games earlier in April. Mayo beat Owatonna twice in 2017, including a first-round match-up in the sections.