ESCANABA, MI — The Norse Baseball Team (20-18, 11-9 MCCAA) came into Tuesday holding out hope for a postseason berth and took care of their end of business, defeating the Alpena Community Lumberjacks (9-25-1, 3-13 MCCAA) by scores of 10-5 and 5-4.

Reigning MCCAA Northern Conference Player of the Week George Cooper (FR, Eltham, Australia) kept his hot bat going in the top of the first. With two outs he doubled to right, sending two runs to the plate, giving the Norse the lead.

Bay added to the lead in the third with back-to-back sacrifice flies from Josh Blake (SO, Seffner, FL) and Zach Gibson (FR, Nassau, Bahamas) giving them a four-run lead they held into the fifth inning.

The Lumberjacks offense woke up in the fifth. After quickly loading the bases, a one-out single put them on the board. The issue was compounded by a fielding error that cleared the runners, making it a one-run game and forcing Bay to go to the bullpen. A groundball tied the game and a two-out wild pitch gave Alpena the lead for the first time in the afternoon.

The Norse found a way to respond in the fifth. Zac Gomersall (SO, Perth, Australia) legged out a triple with one out and scored on Blake’s second sacrifice fly in the game.

After getting a double play groundball to end the sixth, Bay used the momentum to get a big sixth inning. After a leadoff walk and a sacrifice bunt, Lorenzo Feliciano (FR, Deerfield Beach, FL) singled into right to drive in a run. That triggered an offensive outburst as Bay tallied four more hits in the inning. Melchor Feliciano (SO, Deerfield Beach, FL) doubled to left to drive in a run. Tyler Darmogray (FR, Gladstone, MI) singled, bringing in two runs. Blake then drove him in with a single to left and Bay suddenly had a five-run lead.

Alpena tried to get a two-out rally going in the seventh, but two runners were left stranded to seal the Bay win.

Darmogray ended the game three for four with three runs scored and two RBI. Gomersall was also three for four with three runs scored and had a double and a triple. Cooper was two for three with two RBI and two doubles.

Hunter Ballantyne (FR, Brantford, ON) was the starting pitcher for Bay. He went four and one-third and received a no decision. Thijs Rijpstra (FR, Dongen, Netherlands) got the win in relief, striking out two in two and two-thirds.

Alpena jumped out to a lead in the top of the first of the second game. Evan Fairbanks (FR, Rogers City, MI) smashed a two-run home run to center to give the Lumberjacks the lead.

Bay answered back quickly. With two outs and runners on second and third Cooper sent a single to center tying the game at two.

The Norse grabbed their first lead of the game in the bottom of the third. Josh Blake hit a double with one out and Gibson followed that with an RBI single. Bay left two on in the inning however, keeping the game close.

A one-out walk and a bunt single spelled trouble for Bay in the fifth. Matt Thompson (SO, Alpena, MI) hit a long double to center to drive in both runs, and Alpena reclaimed the lead. Thompson was stranded at second in the frame.

Once again Bay formulated an answer quickly. After Gibson dropped a single into right to lead off the fifth, Cooper doubled to the deepest part of the park and Gibson was able to score from first to tie the game. With two outs Jace Cota (SO, Chippewa Falls, WI) singled to left to bring in the go-ahead run. Once again Bay left two runners on but held the lead late.

Alpena went in order in the sixth and could not take advantage of a two-out walk in the seventh and Bay was able to complete the doubleheader sweep of Alpena.

Gibson had a big game for Bay with three hits in four trips to the plate. Cooper had three RBI with two hits in four at bats. Darmogray and Blake also picked up two hits in four at bats.

Cooper went the distance on the mound for the win. He gave up five hits and four runs while walking two and striking out six.

While the Norse took care of their business, they did not get the help they needed. Mid Michigan beat Delta College on Tuesday afternoon by scores of 7-3 and 4-2. Those wins lock them in as the second place team in the MCCAA Northern Conference and gives the Lakers that opportunity to participate in the Region 12 Tournament.

Bay finishes with an 11-9 conference record and will be third in the Northern Conference.

They finish their season with a non-conference series against Community Christian College (MI) on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 2 pm. First pitch for Sophomore Day on Sunday will be at noon.