WELLS &8212; Even with one of their top hitters playing on the B-squad Tuesday, the United South Central softball team (4-5 overall) pounded out 11 hits against New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva (1-6 overall) for a 7-1 win.

&8220;Ali (Ramsley) has six hits for us this year but I thought she needed to get more time throwing the ball so we had her play B-squad today,&8221; Rebels head coach Brad Huse said. &8220;As far as our hitting we thought that if we were patient at the plate that we would be able to get to their pitcher in the later innings and that&8217;s what happened.&8221;

Last year&8217;s Albert Lea Tribune Softball Player of the Year Kellie Robbins threw for the Rebels and allowed just one run on four hits with seven strikeouts.

The Panthers Kate Quam held the Rebels in check through the first two innings before USC tagged her for two runs in the bottom of the third, one run coming on a bases loaded error for a 2-0 USC advantage.

The Rebels bats continued to stay hot in the fourth when they pushed four more runs across the plate for a 6-0 lead. USC added one more in the fifth and allowed the lone NRHEG run in the top of the seventh, an RBI double by Quam.

&8220;We are a little young and I think we are struggling just a bit,&8221; Panthers head coach Grant Berg said. &8220;Not to make any excuses but our field has been too wet to play on so the only time we get to play on a dirt infield is when we play a game. It&8217;s just been tough getting anything together.&8221;

The Panthers travel to Randolph Thursday afternoon. The Rebels will face Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Thursday in Waterville.

USC 7, NRHEG 1

NRHEG – 000 000 1 – 1

USC – 002 410 x – 7

WP – Kellie Robbins 7 IP, 7K, 4 hits, 0BB

LP – Kate Quam 7 IP, 5K, 11 hits, 3BB, 7 runs