Bobcats’ season starts with split

MAUSTON, Wis. -- The Florence Bobcats opened their 2022 varsity baseball season with a split in a pair of games Saturday in Mauston, Wisconsin.

In the opener, the Bobcats lost to Gibraltar/Washington Island (Wis.) 10-7 and then came back to defeat Mishicot (Wis.) 7-6.

Florence held a 6-3 lead in the first game heading into the sixth inning, but the Vikings scored five runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh to pull off the comeback.

Tyler Novak led the Bobcats offensively with three hits and five RBIs.

In the second game, Florence scored three runs in the fourth and added two more in the fifth to take a 7-3 lead and then held on for the victory.

Evan Johnson went 3 for 4 with three RBIs for Florence, while Trent McClain picked up the win with four innings in relief. McLain struck out eight batters, while Johnson, who started and threw three innings, fanned six.