GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Bay College Norse Baseball Team (14-18, 5-9 MCCAA) stepped onto the big stage Tuesday afternoon, playing a doubleheader against the Bryant & Stratton College Bobcats (WI) (17-18) at Fox Cities Stadium near Appleton.

The Norse and Bobcats relished in the opportunity to play baseball on the field of the Milwaukee Brewers Class High-A minor league team, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. The Bobcats emerged with a doubleheader sweep, 11-0 and 14-4, as the Norse made too many mental and defensive mistakes, and the bats woke up too late to make up the difference.

There were some great moments, though, as in the second game Australian George Cooper (FR, Eltham, Australia) clubbed a massive two-run home run to straightaway center field to give Bay a 3-2 lead in the third inning.

It was one of the top highlights of the Norse season, which has seen the team win more games (14) than ever before in the six-history of the program.

"There was a first-pitch fastball, maybe a ball," Cooper said. "I knew that the next pitch that was coming, I was going to hit it hard, and that's what I did. It's bloody 405 feet to dead center. I didn't think I'd be able to do that. I just put my head down and ran. This was sort of different, really surreal, playing on a big field like this. I know some Aussie guys have been professionally signed on this field, so it was a great achievement to play well on it."

Cooper also had a single for the Norse, getting two of their seven base hits against a parade of Bobcats pitchers.

The teams agreed ahead of time to use multiple players, with the regular season soon ending for both. The Bobcats used six different pitchers in the nightcap, and the Norse used four. In the doubleheader, every single active Bay player saw the field, including eight pitchers.

In that second game, Lorenzo Feliciano (FR, Deerfield Beach, FL) was one base four times, going three for three for three of Bay's seven hits. He also drew a walk, scored a run, and drove in a run.

"Just came into the game, soaking in the moment, a pretty big moment," Feliciano said. "I just felt excited when I came into the game. Then I just relaxed and had fun. I felt good. Just hit it where it's pitched. Nothing too special, just being relaxed and patient at the plate. I was just excited. My heart was racing. Couldn't wait to be here."

In the opener, Bay's errors on defense led to a big Bobcat lead early on against pitcher Thijs Rijpstra (FR, Dongen, Netherlands), as all five runs against him in the second inning were unearned. And on offense, Bay managed only two infield base hits, by Brandon Watts (SO, Valrico, FL) and Easton Miller (FR, Marquette, MI), and the Norse could not take advantage of walks and hit batters in the first couple of innings.

For Bryant & Stratton the biggest hit was by Anthony Sacchetti (FR, Antioch, IL), who had a three-run triple to center field after the Norse had taken a 3-2 lead in that second game.

The Bobcats are starting a grueling stretch of 12 games in less than a calendar week. For Bay College the season comes down to four games this weekend at home against Delta College, and two more home games next Tuesday against Alpena Community College.

Bay needs to sweep all six games, and get help, to have any chance of advancing to the post-season for the first time ever.

Friday's games are set for 2:00 and 4:30 at the Wells Sports Complex. Saturday's contests are planned for 1:00 and 3:30.

Story courtesy of Jack Hall, RRN Sports