Niagara varsity slugger Christian Hedmark (5) tries to jump over the tag of Florence catcher Logan Schuls (23) during a boys varsity baseball matchup between the two local rivals on Friday in Niagara. Despite Hedmark’s athletic attempt to score, Schuls was able to tag the Badger runner out in the Bobcats’ 13-5 non-conference victory. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

NIAGARA, Wis. — Bryce Leffler led a 16-hit attack with two doubles, a triple and a single along with five RBIs and the Florence boys varsity baseball team scored nine runs in the second inning en route to a 13-5 non-conference victory over host Niagara on Friday evening.

Four other Bobcats recorded multiple hits in the game — Evan Johnson with a home run and two singles, Tyler Novak with three singles, and William Kelley and Logan Schuls with two singles each.

“I was happy with the way our team hit the ball tonight,” Florence coach Kris Johnson said.

Cole Sweig got the start on the mound for Florence and threw six innings of two-hit baseball. He struck out six and walked four in his win.

“Cole Sweig had another solid pitching performance,” Coach Johnson said.

Sweig also knocked in two hits, as did Kelley and Schuls.

Niagara scored twice in the opening inning and then three more in the seventh. Christian Hedmark drove in two runs and Mason Richtig went 2 for 3 for the Badgers.

On Saturday, the Bobcats traveled to Gillett and defeated the Tigers 6-2. Florence trailed 2-0 after four innings but answered with two runs in the fifth and then hit the hosts with a four-spot in the seventh to score the victory. Schuls ripped a two-out double to bring in two runs during the key seventh inning.

“The team came up with some timely hits in the seventh inning when we needed them,” Kris Johnson said.

Evan Johnson and Trent McLain combined for a two-hitter for Florence. Johnson threw the first five innings and struck out seven with two runs allowed. McLain came on to record the victory, going two innings with one hit allowed and four Ks.

Schuls had two doubles and Kelley recorded two singles for Florence, which outhit Gillett 7-2.

KNIGHTS OPEN WITH SWEEP

NORWAY — After several postponements, the Norway varsity baseball team began its season on Friday with a doubleheader sweep of visiting Superior Central in a Skyline Central Conference matchup in Norway.

In the opener, the Knights used the one-hit pitching of Nolan Amundson and Alex Ortman to stop the Cougars 3-1. Norway scored twice in the first and added another run in the fourth and then held off Superior Central’s attempted rally after one run in the seventh.

Amundson pitched the first 4.1 innings and shut down the Cougars without a hit. He walked five and struck out eight. Orman came on in the fifth and finished the game off, allowing one unearned run with six strikeouts.

Amundson, Chase Carlson and Brent Lagina drove in a run each and Ian Popp sent 2 for 2 with a run scored for the Knights.

In the finale, the Knights jumped on the Cougars for seven runs in the first and ended the game early with four more in the fourth. Carlson recorded a double and two RBIs to lead Norway’s offense. Isaac Lorenzoni, Carson Chartier and Cole Baij combined on a one-hitter, striking out 10.

“It’s great to finally to get out and play and play well for the most part,” Norway coach Tony Adams said. “All five of our pitchers today showed they could execute all of their pitches at various times and our defense was solid for being this early.

“Offensively, we did enough in Game 1 but we left a few runs out there. We will continue to work on the process. Seventeen kids played today and we won a conference game which is always nice.”

MOUNTAINEER BATS STAY HOT

Florence hits Niagara with early knockoutIRON MOUNTAIN — The Iron Mountain varsity baseball team provided plenty of offensive fireworks during a doubleheader sweep of L’Anse in Iron Mountain on Thursday.

The Mountaineers defeated the Purple Hornets 10-7 and 15-3 in five innings.

In the 10-7 victory, Iron Mountain took an 8-2 lead into the fifth and then fought off the Purple Hornets for the win. Preston Roberts, Carson McLean, Beau Kralovec, Jake Powell, Derich Lindbauer and Lucas Maxon all drove in a run in the victory. Iron Mountain recorded just two hits, but L’Anse pitchers walked 19 hitters in the game.

In the 15-3 victory, McLean went 2 for 2 with four RBIs, while Matthew Colavecchi added three RBIs and Tony Kralovec and Luke Decker plated two runs each.

Ian Martilla pitched 3.2 innings and allowed one earned run while fanning six.