SAGINAW, MI - The Bay College Baseball Team (9-14-1) would struggle offensively and drop a doubleheader to the Delta College Pioneers (13-16-1) by finals scores of 3-1 and 8-0.
GAME 1 - DELTA COLLEGE - 3, BAY COLLEGE - 1
Both offenses would be kept off balance by the starting pitchers. It would be the Pioneers that would strike first in the third inning, as Andrew Gauthier (FR, Shepherd, MI) would hit a deep fly ball to right that would carry over the fence for a solo homerun. A leadoff double in the fourth would bite the Norse, as Carson Longstreth (FR, Beaverton, MI) would score on a throwing error after a well-placed Pioneer bunt. Nick Johnson (FR, New Lothrop, MI) drove in a run in the fifth, and Delta would lead by three.
The Norse would see a baserunner in every inning, but would not be able to take advantage. A pair of leadoff walks in the seventh would be the best threat for the Norse. Ben Schwalbach scored on a wild pitch in that inning, but a groundout and two strikeouts would end the comeback attempt.
Jack Rossbach (FR, Howell, MI) was impressive in his start for the Pioneers. He would go six plus innings and give up just three hits, the one earned run, walk four, and strike out one. Alex Dingee (FR, Bay City, MI) pinned down the save, securing the final three outs. Longstreth ended up with a two for three game with a double and a run scored.
Tyler Skufca (SO, Escanaba, MI) would be tagged with the tough-luck loss despite his strong performance. He gave up seven hits, one walk, and just two earned runs in six innings of work. Oliver Dunn (FR, Melbourne, Australia) collected two hits in three at bats.
GAME 2 - DELTA COLLEGE - 8, BAY COLLEGE - 0
Seven hits would not be enough offense to put runs on the board for the Norse as they would strand runners in each of the first four innings. An error and a walk put runners on first and second with no one out in the fourth. The Pioneers would use a well-designed pickoff move to get the runner at second, and then proceed to catch the runner trying to steal second to snub out the rally attempt.
Delta took the lead in the third, scoring with two outs on a wild pitch. Braeden Lamberg (FR, Gladstone, MI) executed a squeeze bunt in the fourth to send another runner home, and Delta would hold a two-run lead. The home team would pile on in the bottom half of the sixth. An error would get things going, followed by a pair of singles. Lamberg drove in a second run with liner to center. Another error would extend the inning, and Longstreth would drive in a run with a single, and Jackson Lund (FR, Big Rapids, MI) doubled in two more. When the Norse were finally able to get out of the inning, they had surrendered six runs.
Bay would strand two runners on in the seventh, but the Pioneers would close out the game, finishing the shutout. Alex Snider (FR, Auburn, MI) got credit for the complete game shutout, going the distance and scattering six hits and two walks while striking out six. Longstreth finished two for three with an RBI, run scored, and double. Cam Floyd (FR, Pinconning, MI) also collected two hits in three at bats.
Logan Bailey (FR, Sault Ste. Marie, MI) took the loss for the Norse. He went the distance, giving up nine hits, two walks, and only three of the eight runs were earned. He would strike out four. Skufca ended the game two for two.
The Norse currently have a break in their schedule, but are looking to fill a void in the next two weekends. The original home opener on April 19 was cancelled due to UW-Barron County cancelling the rest of their season. Bay is currently in search of a team to fill that void. The next scheduled games are on April 26 when they travel to Century College in Minnesota. They will then play a four game series with Dakota County Technical College, the first three of which will be a part of a seven game series that will determine which of the two teams will advance to the NJCAA Region XIII Tournam