ROSEMOUNT, MN - The Bay Norse Softball Team (9-4) would pick up a win and a loss in the Region 13 Early Bird Tournament on Friday. After a big offensive outpouring would give them a 12-3 win over Lake Region State (4-11), the Norse would fall for a second time to Dawson Community College (16-2) by a final of 10-2.
GAME 1 - BAY COLLEGE 12, LAKE REGION STATE - 3
A big fourth inning would power the Norse past Lake Region State. Trailing 3-2 heading into the top of the fourth, Aubree Saunders (SO, Escanaba, MI) would blast a two-run homerun to center field to give Bay the lead. After RBI singles by Emily Bruntjens (SO, Escanaba, MI) and Claire McInerney (FR, Escanba, MI), Kaitlyn Hardwick (FR, Gladstone, MI) drove in another run with a sacrifice fly. The Norse would top off the inning with another homerun, this one off the bat of Richelle Vadeville (FR, Rapid River, MI). The two-run shot would cap off a seven run inning, giving Bay control of the game.
Jerricka McAlpine (FR, Escanaba, MI) doubled in the sixth to drive in an insurance run. The Norse would hit three homeruns in the matchup. Maddy Griffin (FR, Escanaba, MI) got the scoring started for Bay in the second with a solo shot to center.
Rhiley Hubert (SO, Rapid River, MI) earned the win, pitching all five innings, giving up five hits, and walking three, while striking out two and giving up just one earned run. McAlpine finished two for two, with three runs scored, two RBI, a double, and a walk.
Samantha Shumway (FR, Cove, UT) went two for three with a run scored and a triple for Lake Region State.
GAME 2 - DAWSON CC - 10, BAY COLLEGE - 2
Bay College took advantage of a walk and an error in the top of the first to grab an early lead, but the Buccaneers would turn the tables quickly. An RBI double by Maycen O'Neal (FR, Brigham, UT) in the bottom of the second would tie the game. It would be a two-out rally in the bottom of the third that would bury the Norse. Three consecutive singles would give Dawson the lead and an error would plate two more runs. April Davis (FR, Helena, MT) made the error hurt even more, as she would follow it up with a three-run homerun to center, making the score 7-1 in favor of the Buccaneers.
The Norse were set up for a big inning in the fifth. Bruntjens and McInerney singled to lead off the inning, and Hardwick walked to load the bases with no one out. Vandeville singled on a ball up the middle to bring Bruntjens home, but Dawson would slam the door on the Bay rally. A strikeout, a shallow pop fly, and a ground ball would end the inning and the threat. Dawson would seal the victory in the fifth, taking advantage of an error, three walks, and a single to add two runs.
Shelby Martin (FR, Helena, MT) was credited with the win, scattering five hits and walking four, while striking out six and giving up just one earned run. O'Neal ended two for two with a run scored, an RBI, and the aforementioned double.
Winling took the loss for Bay, despite just two of her runs being earned in four innings of work. She walked just one, struck out one, and gave up six hits. Bruntjens collected two hits in three at bats.
The Norse wrap up their appearance in the tournament Saturday afternoon with a rematch against Lake Region State. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm.