Norway pitcher Kara Stanchina (25) fires a pitch towards home plate against Bark River-Harris on Tuesday at Marion Park. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

NORWAY — It was an up-and-down opening night for the Norway varsity softball team on Tuesday as it took on Skyline Central Conference foe Bark River-Harris at Marion Park.

In the first game of the day, the Broncos picked up a 7-4 victory, but the Knights rebounded in the second game, winning 9-5.

“It’s nice to get two, but if you can salvage a split that’s always good,” Norway head coach Bob Bal said. “One bad inning, we gave up five runs in the first game. I thought we could have gotten that game too.”

After two scoreless innings of action, Bark River-Harris broke through in the top of the third to take a 1-0 lead in the opener.

The Knights responded in the bottom of the fourth as Jordyn Moln drove a pitch down the third base line and brought Elizabeth Romitti across the plate, tying things at one. Two batters later, Peyton Paquette singled, scoring Ashley Carlson, and making it a 2-1 Norway lead.

Norway shortstop Elizabeth Romitti (17) swings at a pitch during Tuesday’s contest against Bark River-Harris at Marion Park. The Broncos won the first game, 7-4, but the Knights rallied to take game two. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

Both teams added a run to their total in the fifth inning and the Knights took a 3-2 lead into the top of the sixth.

That’s when things fell apart.

The Broncos strung together five runs, bringing nine batters to the plate, and took a 7-3 advantage.

“Up until that, it was just back-and-forth,” Bal said. “Looking back at that, we made some errors that could have gotten us out of the inning. But that’s softball and that’s what happens. I was really happy how we finished that game and then put up nine runs in the next game. We could have folded the tent and took another loss, so I’m proud of the girls.”

Paquette recorded an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning, but Norway couldn’t recover as Bark River-Harris locked up the conference win.

Moln (0-1) picked up the loss, pitching six innings for the Knights. She struck out three batters while giving up three earned runs on eight hits. Kara Stanchina finished the game on the mound for Norway. She pitched an inning with a strikeout and two walks.

The Knights received offensive contributions from Romitti (1 for 4, 1 run, 1 stolen base), Stanchina (0 for 3, 1 walk, 1 stolen base), Moln (2 for 4, 1 RBI, 2 runs), Tori Cooper (0 for 3, 1 walk), Paquette (2 for 4, 2 RBI), Olivia Kraemer (0 for 3), Tessa Castelaz (0 for 3), Emma Dube (0 for 2, 1 walk) and Kaylee Baldwin (1 for 3, 1 run).

Norway turned things around in the second game with a four run first innings. From there, both teams scored two runs in the third and three runs in the fifth inning as the Knights locked up the 9-5 five-inning win.

Stanchina picked up the victory on the mound, pitching a complete game. She struck out six while allowing four walks, five earned runs and seven hits.

Romitti (2 for 3, 2 RBI, 1 walk, 1 run, 1 stolen base), Stanchina (1 for 1, 2 runs, 2 walks, 1 stolen base), Moln (1 for 3, 2 RBI, 1 run), Paquette (1 for 3, 1 RBI), Emily Murier (1 for 3, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base), Castelaz (0 for 1, 1 run, 2 walks), Maya Gilroy (0 for 2, 1 walk, 1 run) and Baldwin (0 for 3) all contributed to the Knight’s offense in game two.

Norway took on Negaunee on Wednesday and will welcome Iron Mountain to town on Friday at 3:30 p.m.

“My niece (Ashlyn Bal) pitches for them,” Bal said. “We’ve beaten them in the past, but we’ve never really made solid contact against her. … So hopefully, we can get over that.”

BADGERS 5, HORNETS 2

NIAGARA, Wis. — Balance was the name of the game on Tuesday for the Niagara varsity softball team as it did battle with Marinette & Oconto Conference opponent Gillett/Suring in Niagara, Wis.

In the end, the Badgers picked up a 5-2 win over the Hornets and moved to 1-1 in conference action.

“Offensively, we had seven hits spread out through seven batters, a nice balanced effort throughout the lineup,” Niagara head coach Joe Champeau said. “Grace Payette has been a steady presence at the plate, getting on base on 5 out of 6 of her chances.”

Gillett/Suring got on the board first as it put up two runs in the top of the third inning.

However, the Hornet’s lead didn’t last long as the Badgers tacked on three runs in the bottom of the frame. They extended their lead to three in the fourth.

“Mallory Sanicki came up with a big hit to extend our lead to three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning,” coach Champeau said. “Defensively we had 2 errors and were solid in the field.

“Our shortstop, Aiva Champeau, had a nice day in the field posting 5 putouts and 1 assist.”

Elesia Sweig pitched a complete game and picked up the win on the mound for Niagara.

Sweig allowed one earned run while striking out four and walking six.

In the batter’s box, the Badgers received contributions from Sweig (1 for 2, 2 runs, 2 walks, 1 stolen base), Grace Payette (1 for 2, 1 run, 2 walks, 1 stolen base), Aiva Champeau (1 for 3, 1 run, 1 hit by pitch), Emma Broullire (1 for 4, 2 RBI), Rachel Walker (1 for 3), Mallory Sanicki (1 for 2, 2 RBI, 1 walk), Addison Wheeler (0 for 3, 1 RBI), Alivia Kleikamp (0 for 3) and Bristol Sanicki (1 for 2, 1 run, 1 walk).

Niagara heads to Pembine, Wis. on Friday for a matchup with Goodman/Pembine at 4:30 p.m.