A stable defense and strong pitching performance from Nick Dorfman helped No. 1-ranked Lakeville North avenge its first loss of the season in a 3-2 triumph over No. 5 Bloomington Jefferson on Wednesday night at Tony Oliva field in Bloomington.

The Panthers lost to the Jaguars 4-1 on April 14 in Lakeville in their third game of the regular season. Lakeville North coach Tony Market said a big difference maker in that early season game was the weather.

“It (the weather) was awful the first time we played,” Market said. “They did some things well against us. They hit and run against us. I don’t know how mentally ready were or checked in that day, on a day that felt like 27 (degrees). We found out we needed to be mentally tougher.”  

Dorfman didn’t pitch in that game, but Wednesday night he threw six innings, struck out 10 and gave up two runs. With that stat line it looked like an easy day for the senior pitcher, but Dorfman said it was a challenge.

“It was a struggle,” Dorfman said. “They’re a really good hitting team, so I was just trying to let them hit it.”

Panther shortstop and Nebraska recruit Angelo Altavilla, who is leading the state in home runs and second in RBI, said Dorfman had a prime performance.

“He played great today, and you can’t really ask much more out of a pitcher,” Altavilla said.

Before Wednesday’s  game Dorfman was 4-0 with 27 strikeouts, .128 BAA, and three complete games.

“Each and every game he just goes out and battles the zone,” Market said. “He got a little high in the pitch count, but he was challenged and we talked about it after the game. Some of us got tested a little bit more than were used to and they responded pretty well.”

Not only were Panthers battling Bloomington Jefferson on the field, but they also had to tune out the rambunctious antics of the Jaguars off the field.

“You can’t get wrapped up in all the circusey things, the way they maybe cheer or get on people,” Market said. “You got to stay the course and play your game. Don’t succumb to somebody else’s game at the sacrifice of your game. The game is against the ball, not against the team.”

Altavilla said the only way to quiet the Jaguars’ raucous roars is to make noise with the bat.

“They were chirping a little, but we just shut them up with our bats,” Altavilla said.

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