ESCANABA — Bay College baseball program has signed its first two players for the inaugural season.

Bryce Tharp, a Stephenson native, and Tyler Ziegler from Hortonville, Wis., signed national letters of intent.

Tharp, a 2017 Stephenson High School graduate, played high school baseball for his father Jim. He also played for the Menominee Red Wave American Legion baseball team that was state runner-up to Gladstone last summer.

Tharp threw a complete-game shutout in his only pitching appearance in the state tournament at Gladwin.

“Bryce came highly recommended when I took over this position,” said Bay Coach Mike Pankow. “After meeting and talking with him, it did not take long to realize that he is the type of young man that will be a great fit for this program. A talented pitcher and a dedicated individual, he is an outstanding individual, I cannot wait to work with him next season.”

Tharp will attend Bay to continue his education as an engineering major.

Ziegler played on a Hortonville team that won a WIAA Division 1 regional championship in Division 1.

This past summer, Ziegler played for the Hortonville Legion team coached by Pankow

Ziegler will focus his studies in the water resource management program at Bay College.

Bay Norse is set to begin play in the 2018-19 school year and will compete at the NJCAA Division II level.