DeForest cruises past Sauk Prairie in season-opener

Three innings were all the DeForest Norskies softball team needed to deliver their first victory of the 2026 season.

Hosting the Sauk Prairie Eagles on an unseasonably warm evening on Monday, March 30, in the season opener, the Norskies cruised to a 15-0 victory. DeForest used a 10-run inning in the bottom of the third to run-rule the Eagles.

“The girls came out aggressive,” DeForest co-head coach Lori Grundahl said. “It was nice to see them be aggressive and put runs up on the board for us.”

In just three innings, the Norskies’ high-powered offense had 11 hits. Junior infielder Bailey Nicholson led DeForest with a game-high three hits, while senior catcher E’Mony Hardiman totaled a game-high four RBIs.

While the offense shone, the defense was equally deserving of its flowers.

Especially inside the circle.

Senior pitcher Reagan Oughton didn’t allow a single hit through three innings, striking out the final eight batters she faced.

Norski pitcher Reagan Oughton dazzled inside the circle, pitching a perfect three innings, including eight strikeouts. She struck out the final eight batters Monday evening.

“She mowed through their hitters,” Grundahl said on Oughton’s impact inside the circle Monday evening. “We’re excited for her that she can come out for her senior season and have success.”

In the first inning, the Norskies took an early 3-0 lead. Raegan Smith started things off emphatically, delivering a single into center field. Smith would reach home when E’Mony Hardiman put the ball in play before back-to-back RBI singles from Bailey Nicholson and Reagan Oughton.

In the bottom of the second, the Norskies tacked on two more runs when Reagan Oughton hit a sacrifice fly, bringing home Raegan Smith and senior infielder Vie Miller.

Then came the biggest damage of them all: the 10-run third inning.

Sophomore Ashlyn Merk led things off with a triple into left field. Singles by Bailey Nicholson (X2), E’Mony Hardiman, junior outfielder Ava Schwenn and Vie Miller on top of four walks in the inning would be all the damage DeForest needed before officially run-ruling the Eagles.

While it may only be game No. 1 of the season, Lori Grundahl likes where the team is at, emphasizing one key message to her squad: “To come out here and enjoy what we’re doing each day and play for each other,” she said.

With the first win of the season out of the way, DeForest’s next game will be at home against Milton on Thursday, April 2. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.