Duluth Denfeld improves to 2-0 in softball

_{Top, Hunters 3B Jess Havron. Bottom right, Logergren. Howie Hanson}

Duluth Denfeld improved to 2-0 with a 4-1 victory against Northwestern (Wis.) in non-conference high school softball Monday at Wade Fields.

Kaitlin Bagley drove in two runs with a fifth-inning double and freshman Nikki Logergren scattered three hits and struck out 13 to lead the Hunters.

"It was windy and to have no errors — no extra outs — was good," said Duluth Denfeld coach Dick Swanson. "Katherine Andreiko and Bagley had especially good defensive games."

Denfeld plays host to Virginia on Thursday and faces Duluth East Friday at the Greyhounds' new turf field.

"Virginia is ranked second in Section 7AA, and East is always tough," said Swanson.

Sports Notes

. Grandma's Marathon is accepting public nominations through Friday for the 2010 Rudy Perpich Public Service Award. Nominees can be any current or former public employee or elected official who has contributing time, energy and service to the race. The nomination application is available at GrandmasMarathon.com or by calling 218.727.0947.

The Rudy Perpich Public Service Award is named after the late, great Minnesota governor who was a tremendous supporter of Grandma's Marathon.

Grandma's Marathon is Saturday, June 19.

Duluth Today

. In celebration of "The Week of the Young Child," today through Saturday, an eighth Big Red Bookshelf will be dedicated Wednesday morning at Lake Superior Community Health Center. The Big Red Bookshelf is an early literacy effort that places big red bookshelves at key locations throughout the community where children and families visit. Shelves are filled with new or gently-used books for children ages birth to 8 years old. Children and parents are encouraged to take a book home to read at no cost. Since its inception, the Big Red Bookshelf, coordinated by United Way's Success By 6 Council, has put nearly 10,000 books into the hands of children.

Nominations and a resume of the nominee can be sent to: Kevin Pates, Duluth News Tribune, Sports Department, 424 West First Street, Duluth, Minn. 55802, or e-mailed to kpates@duluthnews.com. Entries will be accepted through May 31.

The DECC Athletic Hall of Fame inducted its charter class on June 4, 1968 into what was then known as the Duluth Arena Sports Hall of Fame. There are 48 members in the Hall of Fame.