Heart River Dominates New England in Softball Debut

Cougars cruise to 25-2 victory over first-year Tigers program

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:19pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a high school softball game, with sharp planes of navy, green, and red overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract composition.A cubist interpretation of the inaugural matchup between the Heart River Cougars and New England Tigers softball programs, highlighting the energy and movement of the game.Dickinson Today

In the season opener for both teams, the Heart River Cougars defeated the debuting New England Tigers softball squad 25-2 in a lopsided contest. Heart River jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, taking advantage of walks and timely hitting to pull away. While it was a tough start for the new Tigers program, head coach Abby Kessel was proud of her team's growth and excitement for the future.

Why it matters

The matchup between Heart River and New England represented an intriguing clash between an established softball powerhouse and a brand new program just taking the field for the first time. The decisive victory for Heart River showcases their offensive firepower, while the Tigers' performance highlights the challenges of building a competitive team from scratch.

The details

Heart River scored 9 runs in the second inning and 9 more in the third to build an 18-1 lead after 3 innings. The Cougars went on to win 25-2, invoking the mercy rule. Gretchen Silbernagel and Jovi Henson combined for the win on the mound for Heart River. New England's Breanna Erickson scored the Tigers' first-ever run in the second inning after being hit by a pitch and coming around to score on a couple errors.

  • The game was played on Thursday, April 10, 2026.
  • It was the season opener for both teams.

The players

Emily Henson

Head coach of the Heart River Cougars softball team.

Abby Kessel

Head coach of the new New England Tigers softball program.

Breanna Erickson

New England Tigers player who scored the team's first-ever run.

Gretchen Silbernagel

Heart River Cougars pitcher who combined for the win.

Jovi Henson

Heart River Cougars pitcher who combined for the win.

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What they’re saying

“It feels amazing. This was a long time coming for sure.”

— Abby Kessel, New England Tigers head coach

“We saw a lot of good things, but we also saw things we need to improve on and expand on with some of the girls, just explaining those situations. With it being our first game, I was very happy with our offense and our defense.”

— Emily Henson, Heart River Cougars head coach

“Right away, it did feel like everyone was extremely nervous. But as the game went on and we got into the later innings, it seemed like we were able to let loose and make some contact.”

— Abby Kessel, New England Tigers head coach

“The growth from day one to now – I just can't wait for the end of the season. I'm so excited to see how much they'll improve over the next couple of months.”

— Abby Kessel, New England Tigers head coach

“It's so awesome. I've known Abby for years, and I'm just so excited for her and for this opportunity. Another team in southwest North Dakota – I just hope it continues to grow with Class B schools.”

— Emily Henson, Heart River Cougars head coach

What’s next

The two teams are scheduled to play a second game, with Heart River's junior varsity taking on the Tigers. This will provide another opportunity for the new New England program to gain experience and continue improving.

The takeaway

This lopsided victory for the Heart River Cougars highlights the challenges facing new high school sports programs like the New England Tigers as they work to build a competitive team from the ground up. However, the enthusiasm and optimism expressed by both coaches suggests that the Tigers are poised for growth and improvement over the course of the season.