Norse Qualify For Region XIIB Tournament
Brainerd, MN – The 2023 MNC-Mesabi Range Norse softball team has had an unusual spring with weather delaying and even forcing game cancellations. Due to all the games lost, the MCAC Northern Division cut the schedule in half and had a tournament to determine the NJCAA Region XIIIB qualifiers.
The Norse entered the tournament as the #5 seed facing off against the #4 seed MNC-Rainy River Voyageurs on Friday, May 5th. The game was a highly competitive contest, which saw the Norse rally from 3 runs down in the top of the 7th inning to tie the game at 8-8. Unfortunately, for the Norse the comeback fell short as the Voyageurs were able to push the winning run across the plate in the bottom of the 7th to walk off with the 9-8 win.
That loss put the Norse in an elimination game versus the Northland Pioneers the next day. The Norse started slow as they trailed 4-0 entering the bottom of the 3rd inning there 2 Norse hits coupled with 2 Pioneer errors helped reduce the Norse deficit to 4-3. After winning pitcher, Jasmine Heikkila retired the Pioneers in order. The Norse bats got back to work with Elizabeth Hey hitting a single, Lillian Archambeau reaching on an error by the Pioneer pitcher, Abbigail Shuster driving in Hey with a scorching line drive to right field, Raven Sainio advancing all runner up a base with a single, the Joey Westby scoring Archambeau on an error by the Pioneer left fielder to push the Norse to a 5-4 lead. After that, Heikkila retired 9 of the last 11 pioneer batter only allowing a walk and a single to close out the game with a 5-4 Norse win.
That win qualified the Norse for the NJCAA Region XIIIB Tournament for the first time since 2017. The next game a rematch vs MNC-Rainy River Voyageurs would determine the 3 or 4 seed in the NJCAA Region XIIIB Tournament.
The Norse once again started out slow trailing 9-5 entering the bottom of the 5th inning. The Norse 5th started with a Lauren Lautigar double, after which she advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch scoring on a ground out. After that Amelia Fritz singled, Jasmine Heikkila drew a walk, Lillian Archambeau knocked in Fritz on an error by the Voyageur 3rd baseman. Abbigail Shuster kept the inning alive reaching 1st on a hit by pitch. During Raven Sainio’s at bat Jasmine scored on a throwing error by the Voyageur catcher cutting the Norse deficit to 9-8 before the side was retired. After winning pitcher Lillian Archambeau retired the Voyageurs in the top of the 6th inning the Norse bats went to work again. Joey Westby reached on an error by the Voyageur pitcher eventually being thrown out at the plate trying to score on Lauren Lautigar’s double. Lautigsar advanced to 3rd on the throw to the plate. Janie Potts drove in Lautigar on a fielder’s choice setting the stage for Sophomore Amelia Fritz. With a 1-1 count Fritz hammered the Voyager pitch deep to right field clearing the fence with room to spare to give the Norse their first lead of the game 11-9. Amelia came in to close out the game only allowing a walk and three groundouts to pick up her 3rd save of the season.
The Norse stand at 5-13 overall and are the #3 seed entering the NJCAA Region XIIIB Tournament. The Norse will face the #2 seed the MNC-Itasca Vikings. The tournament will be hosted by Central Lakes College. Date and game times to be announced.