Baij throws 2nd perfect game, Knights sweep Cougars

Norway senior pitcher Alex Ortman delivers a pitch against Superior Central on Tuesday at Mike Maule Field. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

NORWAY — The Norway varsity baseball team’s dominance in the Skyline Central Conference throughout the season continued on Tuesday as it swept Superior Central in a doubleheader at Mike Maule Field.

The Knights used another perfect game from Cole Baij to take the first game, 5-0, and followed that with an 11-1 drubbing of the Cougars.

Norway is now 18-2-1 on the season.

Game One

Cole Baij dominated the Cougars in the opener. He pitched all six innings, striking out 15 batters for his second perfect game of the season.

“Our bats were lethargic in game one but we were able to put three up in the first inning and that set the tone for the game,” said Knights assistant coach Brett Baij. “Cole Baij was pretty dominant on the mound and was able to get a couple more across to seal it.”

The Knights backed up Baij when they got to the plate in the bottom of the first inning. An Alex Ortman double scored the first run. Then Bryce Adams brought home two more runs with a single and Norway led 3-0.

Both teams struggled to make contact in the second and third innings and then in the fourth the Knights came back to life.

AJ Gallino plated the first run of the inning with a sacrifice bunt. Hayden Amundson followed that up with a double to left field that scored another. Norway’s lead was 5-0.

Adams led the Knights with two RBIs. Gallino, Amundson and Ortman each had one. Cole Baij drew a walk. Ortman, Adams, Baij and Maddex Burklund each stole one base.

Game Two

Norway didn’t waste any time in the second game as it scored a run in the first off a sacrifice fly from Landon Amundson.

Holding a 1-0 lead, the Knights poured it on in the second. Hayden Amundson scored the first run on a wild pitch. Then two Superior Central errors plated four more runs as they held an 8-0 advantage..

“We were able to put some pressure on their defense and manufacture some runs by being aggressive on the bases,” coach Baij said. “Alex Ortman was in control on the rubber.”

The Cougars’ lone run came on a passed ball in the top of the third.

Norway scored three runs in the final two innings to pick up the 11-1 win.

“The majority of our runs came with two outs,” coach Bob Amundson said.

Ortman picked up the win for the Knights. He struck out nine in four innings of work while surrendering one hit and one walk.

Owen Baij, Landon Amundson, Carter Cazzola and Gallino each recorded an RBI. Owen Baij and Cole Baij each drew two walks. Owen Baij led Norway with three stolen bases while Cameron Varda and Adams each had two.

The Knights are back at Mike Maule Field today for a nonconference doubleheader against Iron Mountain. They will be honoring their seniors.

REBELS 6, BOBCATS 5

FLORENCE, Wis. — The Florence varsity baseball team out-hit Wabeno/Laona on Tuesday, however, the Bobcats couldn’t pick up the victory as the Rebels held on for a 6-5 win in Florence, Wis.

Wabeno/Laono struck first and scored three runs in the top of the first inning.

The Bobcats responded in the next half inning when William Kelley made it home on a Rebels error, they trailed 3-1.

Kelley cut the Wabeno/Laona lead to 3-2 with a single in the bottom of the second.

However, in the top of the third, the Rebels added two more runs to their total as their lead grew to 5-2.

Bryce Leffler plated a run for Florence on a grounder to left field in the third and it trailed 5-3.

The Bobcats scored a run in the fifth and one in the seventh, but they couldn’t overtake the Rebels, who locked up the win.

Kelley started the game on the mound for Florence. He struck out four and surrendered three hits in five innings. Trent McLain finished the game. He struck out two in two innings.

Kelley, Leffler and Matthew Smith each tallied an RBI. Kelley led the way with two walks. McLain and Kelley both stole two bases.

The Bobcats committed five errors compared to two for Wabeno/Laona.

Florence is back home on Monday to take on Wausaukee.

WOLVERINES 5, BADGERS 2

CRIVITZ, Wis. — The Niagara varsity baseball team struggled to keep up with the Crivitz offense on Tuesday and the Badgers ended up falling to the Wolverines, 5-2, in Crivitz, Wis.

Niagara started the game on the right foot offensively. It took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a sacrifice bunt from Blake Holmes.

However, the Wolverines would tie things up in the next half inning. They added three runs in the bottom of the second and the lead was up to 4-1.

Crivitz added another run in the fourth to take a four run lead.

The Badgers got one run back in the final inning on a Reid Schroeder walk.

However, Crivitz was able to secure the 5-2 win.

Mason Richtig was tagged with the loss for Niagara. He struck out seven in six innings while surrendering three earned runs and four walks.

Blake Holmes and Schroder each tallied an RBI for the Badgers. Cody Bath, James Wallace and Richtig each drew two walks.

Niagara didn’t record a hit in the contest.