Bethlehem Academy Junior Meyer Smacks Grand Slam in Win

It was the season opener for the Faribault Bethlehem Academy Cardinals and how do you top a grand slam that propels your team to victory in extra innings?

Shelby Meyer was all smiles after the game.

The junior hit a no-doubt grand slam to break a 4-4 tie in the top of the ninth and also pitched her team to victory over New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva to start their season.

The swings in the Ace Sports batting cage are paying off. The Cardinals clubbed 13 hits, and I think the Panthers are sneaking to Faribault for some swings also because they tallied 11 hits in the game won by BA 10-4.

In addition to her grand slam, Meyer had a two RBI double in the contest.

Five Cardinal hitters had two hits or better in the game, with five of their hits coming in the six-run ninth.

It appeared BA was going to win in regulation, but credit the Panthers for living up to their name and having more lives to send it into extra innings.

As noted, NRHEG had 11 hits in the game but Meyer limited them to only two innings with multiple hits.

Cardinal head coach Tom Langfeldt was particularly pleased with his team's defense, noting in a scrimmage Friday against Faribault the defense did not play well. In Monday's game it was excellent.

He particular singled out eighth-grade shortstop Delaney Donahue, who had a couple of hits and a walk to go with some stellar defense.

The Cardinals are scheduled to host Lake Crystal-Welcome-Memorial in their next game Thursday at 5PM at North Alexander Park.

In other softball Monday:

• United South Central nipped Medford 14-13 with both teams ripping the cover off the ball. USC had 18 hits and Medford 16. The Tigers host Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton on Thursday evening.
• Hayfield rolled past Alden-Conger 11-1.
• Cannon Falls at Red Wing softball was rescheduled for Friday