Norway’s Kali Stanchina throws a pitch at the Spring Swing Invitational in Marquette last weekend. It was a good start to the spring season, as the Knights came home with three wins. (Courtesy photo)

MARQUETTE — The Norway Knights varsity softball team got off to a blazing start by recording three wins in the Spring Swing Invitational at the Superior Dome in Marquette last weekend.

The Knights defeated Ishpeming 5-1 in six innings, Sault Area 7-1 in four innings and Calumet 15-6 in three innings.

Against the Hematites, Donna VanHolla recorded three hits, Kali Stanchina added two and Gabrielle Leiker knocked in three runs for the Knights. In the circle, Stanchina went the distance, allowing just three hits with six strikeouts and no earned runs.

Against the Blue Devils, Averie Popp led the way with three hits, two RBIs and three runs scored. Stanchina pitched all four innings, allowing five hits and one earned run.

Against the Copper Kings, VanHolla and Hannah Burklund drove in two runs each, while Stanchina and Popp both scored three runs. Burklund pitched 2 1/3 innings without giving up a hit or a run.

LADY BOBCATS DROP 2 AT MAUSTON

MAUSTON, Wis. — The Florence Lady Bobcats played competitively in their two games in Mauston, Wisconsin last weekend, but left with a pair of losses.

Florence took a 3-1 lead against Adams Friendship after the opening inning but the Green Devils took control in the middle innings on their way to a 12-9 victory.

Isabella Millan and Morgan Tomczak led the Lady Bobcats with two hits each. Millan recorded a triple and a single, while Tomczak belted two doubles.

In its second game, Florence exploded for seven runs in the second inning but eventually was outscored by Elmwood-Plum City 16-14. Millan had two hits, including one of the team’s three triples. Victoria Peterson and Paige Uren slugged the other two.

“We hit the ball as a team,” Florence coach Dan Robinson said. “It was nice to get out of the gym. It’s hard to transition from the gym to outside. We made a few mistakes but overall we got better.”