In a thrilling early-season showdown, the Southland Rebels softball team edged out a narrow 6-5 victory over a tough New Richland-HEG squad on Monday. The game came down to the wire, showcasing the kind of hustle and pressure that defines great softball.
The decisive moment came courtesy of Grace Kresbach, whose relentless effort on the base paths forced a critical NRHEG error, allowing her to dash home with the walk-off winning run. It was a perfect example of how hustle plays can be the difference between a win and a loss.
Shannon Kiefer provided crucial offensive support for the Rebels, driving in two key runs to help build the score. The win improves Southland's strong start to 4-1 overall.
On the mound, Laney Weis delivered a complete-game performance for the victory, working through seven innings with six strikeouts. The Rebels' offense was a collective effort, with multiple players contributing timely hits. Clara Timm and Kayla Hemann each went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Weis, Kresbach, Kiley Koenigs, and Kiefer all drove in runs in a balanced attack that kept the pressure on all game long.