ESCANABA, MI - The Bay College Softball Team will kick off their first season in school history on Saturday, March 9 in Cocoa Beach, Florida.  Head Coach Heidi Charon will begin the season with 15 women on the roster.

The Norse have been preparing for the season since August.  The fall scrimmage schedule consisted of eight games, and Bay College responded with a 6-2 record.  The fall season wrapped up in October, and full practices resumed in January in preparation for the regular season.

Seven Bay College players will share time in the infield this season.  Beth Gannigan (FR, Coleman, WI) Maddy Griffin (FR, Escanaba, MI), Kaitlyn Hardwick (FR, Gladstone, MI), Rhiley Hubert (SO, Rapid River, MI), Eve LaFleche (FR, Hillman, MI), Claire McInerney (FR, Escanaba, MI), and Aubree Saunders (SO, Escanaba, MI) make up that group.  Emily Bruntjens (SO, Escanaba, MI), Olivia Capodilupo (FR, Gladstone, MI), Emily LaFave (SO, Escanaba, MI), Lauren LaJoie (FR, Sault Ste. Marie, MI), Jerrika McAlpine (SO, Escanaba, MI), and Paige Welch (SO, Perronville, MI) will roam the outfield for the Norse. 

"We have a wide breadth of talent on the defensive side with a diverse group of players who round out the field really well," said Charon.  "Our long practice seasons have given them plenty of time to get familiar and comfortable with each other.  We are all really excited to get that first official game under our belts."  Two pitchers and two catchers will make up the battery this season.  Lexi Winling (FR, Gladstone, MI) and Hubert will toe the rubber for Bay College, while Richelle Vandeville (FR, Rapid River, MI) and LaJoie will work behind the dish.

"This past fall, these girls proved they could hit.  Vandeville, LaFleche, and Hardwick all had homeruns in their first ever college game.  After an off-season focused on conditioning and becoming stronger all-around athletes, it will be especially exciting to see how much bigger our offensive game can be this spring."

"So much has already gone into this journey already--the players have been working exceptionally hard for several months--and we are excited to get the first-ever Bay College softball season underway."

The Norse will start their season with ten games from March 9-14 on their spring break trip.  They follow that up with the Region XIII crossover tournament in Rosemount, MN, which will consist of six games from March 21-23.  Bay will look forward to their first ever home game, scheduled for April 14, when they play host to Finlandia.  They then play host to Gogebic Community College in a four game series on April 19 and 20, before finishing off their season at home against Silver Lake College on May 1.  Overall, the schedule currently consists of 42 games, weather permitting.

For a complete schedule, and to follow the Norse all season long, check the softball page on www.baynorse.com.