NIAGARA, Wis. — After a strong 2023 campaign, the Niagara varsity baseball team picked up where it left off and opened the 2024 season 2-0 in Marinette & Oconto Conference action after beating Gillett/Suring 8-0 in at Niagara High School on Tuesday.

“Cody Bath with a really nice effort on the mound tonight,” Badgers head coach Brad Richtig said.

Bath allowed one hit over 5.2 innings while recording 10 strikeouts and five walks. Senior pitcher Blake Holmes finished the game on the mound for Niagara. He recorded four walks and a strikeout in 1.1 innings.

It was a scoreless game through three innings but in the bottom of the fourth, Niagara’s offense came to life. The Badgers put up seven runs in the frame and took a 7-0 lead.

Niagara added another run in the bottom of the fifth to secure an 8-0 victory.

At the plate, the Badgers received contributions from T.J. Beard (0 for 1, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 walk), Bath (2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 run), Christian Hedmark (2 for 3, 2 RBI, 1 walk), Mason Richtig (1 for 3, 1 walk), Blake Holmes (1 for 4, 1 RBI), Easton Holmes (0-4, 1 run), Aiden Sweig (1 for 4, 1 run), Brayden Bartels (0-3) and Gavin Neuens (1 for 2, 1 walk, 2 runs).

Niagara kicked off its season on Monday with a road trip to Coleman, Wis. It took some time, but the Badgers’ offense came alive in the sixth inning and they toppled Coleman, 2-0, in Marinette & Oconto Conference action.

“Great start for us,” coach Richtig said. “Coleman is a tough, gritty squad with great coaches. Mason Richtig pitched his butt off. (He) hasn’t pitched in two years due to knee injuries. Easton Holmes was lights out on defense. Our defense overall was good for the first game of the year. (I) couldn’t ask for much better.”

Mason Richtig picked up the win for Niagara while pitching the complete game. He allowed four hits while striking out three and walking four batters.

Blake Holmes and Sweig scored the Badgers runs.

Niagara received offensive contributions from Beard (0-3), Bath (0-1, 2 walks), Hedmark (0-3), Mason Richtig (0-2, 1 walk), Blake Holmes (1 for 3, 1 run, 1 double, 1 stolen base), Easton Holmes (1 for 3), Sweig (0 for 1, 1 run, 2 walks), Bartels (0 for 2, 1 walk) and Neuens (0 for 3).

The Badgers are headed to Marinette, Wis. today for another M&O Conference matchup with St. Thomas Aquinas Academy. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

KNIGHTS 14, WOLVERINES 0

CRIVITZ, Wis. — The 2024 varsity baseball season kicked off with a bang for Norway as the Knights took their talents to Crivitz, Wis. on Monday and picked up a 14-0 win.

“Very exciting to get the season started,” Norway head coach Tony Adams said. “We had a lot of positives in all phases of the game and, obviously, things to continue to improve upon. Our pitching was effective with Cole Baij leading the way in this game.”

Baij, a junior hurler, pitched three innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out six. Senior Alex Ortman pitched an inning for the Knights and struck out two. Owen Baij also spent an inning on the mound, allowing one walk.

Norway opened the first inning with a four run performance and it was over for Crivitz from there. The Knights’ offense recorded two runs in the second, one in the third, four in the fourth and three in the fifth.

“Defensively, we played well and our goal is to continue to be versatile in that aspect of the game,” coach Adams said. “Offensively, we are a work in progress. We had some really good at bats throughout the lineup. Alex Ortman and Landon Amundson led the charge today and our goal is to be tough 1 through 9. Crivitz is a young team and will improve as the season moves on.”

Norway’s offense received contributions from Ian Popp (0-4), Landon Amundson (3 for 4, 3 runs, 1 stolen base), Maddux Burklund (1 for 1, 2 RBI, 1 walk), Cole Baij (1 for 2, 3 runs, 2 walks, 1 stolen base), Ortman (3 for 3, 2 runs, 4 RBI, 1 walk, 1 double, 1 triple), Owen Baij (2 for 3, 2 runs, 3 RBI), Cameron Varda (0 for 2, 2 runs, 2 walks, 2 stolen bases), Bryce Adams (1 for 1, 1 walk, 1 run), Carter Cazzola (0 for 2), Hayden Amundson (0 for 1) and AJ Gallino (1 for 2, 2 RBI).

On Friday, the Knights make the long trip to Mount Pleasant for a contest against Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart at Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium on the campus of Central Michigan University. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. EST.