BLOOMING PRAIRIE &045; Defense and pitching combined for NRHEG to blank Blooming Prairie, 4-0, Tuesday.

The Panthers played errorless ball behind Joe McGurie who pitched all seven innings allowing five hits, struck out seven and did not issue a walk.

Brent Hullopeter led the Panthers going 3-for-3 on the night while Ben Waldhauser had a pair of hits including a double. Waldhauser scored two runs including the team’s lone run in the seventh by stealing home.

NRHEG got off to a slow start going scoreless over the first three innings before breaking through for a run in the fourth and tack on two more in the fifth.

&8220;Our defense was outstanding with no errors, one double play and nice catches by outfielders Josh Churchill and Chris Somage,&8221; said NRHEG head coach Jeff Reese. &8220;We need to get some clutch hits instead of striking out. We were chasing slow breaking balls instead of being disciplined and taking those to the opposite way.&8221;

The Panthers now sport a 12-2 overall record and a 9-1 mark in the Gopher Conference as they prepare to play Maple River tonight.