MOUNT PLEASANT — It was a long two-day road trip for the Norway varsity baseball team as it took its talents over the Mackinac Bridge to Mount Pleasant for three games, starting on Friday.

The Knights finished the trip 1-1-1 after picking up a 11-1 win over Marion on Saturday. They lost to Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, 8-3, at Central Michigan University and then tied Glen Lake 1-1 on Saturday.

“Tremendous experience for our players this weekend against some quality programs,” Norway head coach Tony Adams said.

Game one

Playing on the legendary Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium, the Knights started off hot against Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart Academy. At the end of the second frame, it was 2-0 Norway.

However, Sacred Heart Academy strung together a four-run third and a four-run fourth inning to pull ahead 8-3.

“Proud of the way we competed today against a very talented team,” coach Adams said. “We had multiple opportunities for a big inning and while we didn’t make the most of those opportunities, Sacred Heart did with two huge hits in the gap.”

Neither team would score again as Cole Baij picked up the loss on 3.2 innings of work. He struck out four and walked two while allowing seven earned runs.

At the plate, the Knights received contributions from Ian Popp (0 for 2, 1 run, 1 walk), Landon Amundson (2 for 3), Cole Baij (0 for 3), Alex Ortman (0 for 1), Owen Baij (0 for 2, 1 RBI), Hayden Amundson (0 for 3), Bryce Adams (0 for 1, 1 run, 1 walk), Carter Cazzola (0 for 3, 1 run), A.J. Gallino (0 for 1, 1 RBI) and Cameron Varda (2 walks).

Game two

After playing at Central Michigan University, Norway headed to Mount Pleasant High School on Saturday for a contest with Glen Lake.

Both teams scored in the opening frame. However, neither would score again as the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

Ortman pitched six innings for the Knights, walking three and striking out 10.

“A well played game for the first week of the season with pressure situations throughout the game,” coach Adams said. “Alex Ortman was fantastic on the mound and our defense was very good again in this game highlighted by keeping the game tied by getting the out at home on a squeeze play. Our offense has work to do.

Offensively, Norway received contributions from Popp (1 for 3, 1 run), Landon Amundson (1 for 3), Cole Baij (0 for 2, 1 walk), Ortman (1 for 3), Hayden Amundson (0 for 3), Bryce Adams (0 for 1), Gallino (0 for 1), Cazzola (0 for 1) and Varda (0 for 2).

Game three

The Knights wrapped up their three-game road trip on Saturday with an 11-1 four-inning victory over Marion at Mount Pleasant High School.

“Nice to see our offense come alive and it’s great to see Ian Popp back in our lineup again,” coach Adams said. “Owen Baij was in control on the mound and our defense was good. We really like our team chemistry and the kids played hard on this trip.”

Owen Baij picked up the win for Norway. He pitched four innings, allowing one earned run and one walk while striking out seven.

The Knights scored two runs in the opening frame and added a run each in the second and third innings before tallying seven runs in the fourth.

Norway received offensive contributions from Popp (3 for 3, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base), Maddux Burklund (1 walk), Landon Amundson (2 for 4, 2 runs, 1 stolen base), Cole Baij (2 for 3, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base), Ortman (1 for 1, 2 runs, 2 RBI, 1 walk, 2 stolen bases), Varda (0 for 2, 1 walk, 1 stolen base), Bryce Adams (1 for 2, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Cazzola (0 for 1), Gallino (0 for 2), Hayden Amundson (0 for 1).

The Knights kick off Skyline Central Conference action at Mike Maule Field on Tuesday against Stephenson at 3:30 p.m.

BOBCATS 16, WILDCATS 1

GILLETT, Wis. — It was a good Saturday for the Florence varsity baseball team (3-0) as it picked up two wins at the Gillett Triangular in Gillett, Wis.

The Bobcats started the day with a 16-1 victory over Gresham Community.

Senior William Kelley picked up the win on the mound for Florence. He pitched two innings, struck out three and walked one. Bradley Steber also took the mound for the Bobcats. He pitched three innings, striking out three and allowing one earned run.

Florence scored five runs in the opening frame and it was over for the Wildcats from there.

Offensively, the Bobcats received contributions from Kelley (1 for 2, 3 RBI, 3 walks, 2 runs, 1 stolen base), Steber (1 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 walk), Trent McLain (3 for 4, 3 runs, 2 RBIs, 1 walk), Bryce Leffler (1 for 5, 2 runs, 3 stolen bases), Matthew Smith (0 for 2, 3 runs, 2 walks, 3 stolen bases), Logan Thompson (2 runs, 2 RBI, 2 walks), Isaiah Fennessy (0 for 1, 1 RBI, 1 walk), Mason Koski (2 for 2, 1 run, 2 RBIs), Carter Reed (1 RBI, 2 walks), Jackson Robinson (0 for 1) and Joey Holmstrom (1 for 1, 1 run, 3 walks).

Florence followed that up with a 10-2 win over Gillett/Suring later on Saturday.

The Bobcats notched a run in the opening frame and then they added two in the third and fourth innings. They also scored five runs in the fifth inning.

Gillett/Suring scored a run in the bottom of the third and added another in the bottom of the seventh.

McLain picked up the win for Florence. He pitched four innings and struck out six batters while allowing one earned run.

Mason Koski came in in relief, pitching three innings. He walked one and fanned two batters.

Kelley (3 for 4, 1 RBI, 3 runs, 2 stolen bases), Steber (0 for 4, 2 RBI), Kyle Smith (0 for 1), McLain (1 for 4, 1 run, 1 RBI), Leffler (3 for 4, 1 run, 1 stolen base), Mason Smith (1 for 2, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 walk), Koski (0 for 1, 1 run, 1 RBI, 2 walks), Thompson (0 for 3, 1 run, 1 walk), Reed (1 run, 3 walks, 1 RBI), Fennessy (0 for 1), Holmstrom (1 for 2, 1 run, 1 walk, 1 stolen base) and Robinson (0 for 1) all contributed to the Bobcats offensive success.

On Tuesday, Florence heads to Niagara at 4:30 p.m.