Click the thumbnails to see photos and videos taken by Brad Landis, and to hear post-game comments from Coach Ross Rahoi and outfielder Sierra Jones.

ESCANABA---In a word, it was frustrating.

The Bay College softball team finished its season over the weekend by losing four games of a five-game series with the Grand Rapids Community College Raiders, ending a campaign that saw them win just 12 of their 42 games.
 

It's not something the Norse are used to see happening.

In 2022, the Norse went 31-17 and finished as regional runners-up. They were 28-9 in their first-ever season of 2019, and also were regional runners-up.

Coming into this season, even after a 19-29 campaign last year, the Norse softball team had a program record of 85-62. But this year, 12-30.

Norse Coach Ross Rahoi says “frustrating” about sums it up.

“We've battled, and we've worked, but we just haven't gotten to where we wanted to be,” Rahoi said. “I'm really happy and proud of our school, and the support that we have in the community. It's been ain interesting year. It hasn't been exactly what we wanted it to be, but there's a silver lining in everything. I think our players have grown. I hope they take some of the lessons that we've been trying to teach this year into their lives. If that's the case, then we can be really proud of that.”

One of the team's five Canadian players, outfielder Sierra Jones, finished the season strong. She had home runs in three of the team's final five games, and she had 13 hits in 20 at-bats in the series. Jones was also thankful for the experience.

“It's a great team,” Jones said. “Even through the losses, we've all been supporting each other, and keeping each other up. Even with the small hits, we've been cheering each other on. Our energy has just been growing and growing, even through all of the losses. I'm really glad to have my teammates behind me to keep me going.”

And the Norse had something to smile about on the final day of their season, pulling out a 12-8 win over GRCC in a marathon game that allowed Bay to break its 11-game losing streak. They had 17 hits in that contest, with Jones getting two doubles and a single.

And Madyson Rothe had a monster game, with a single, double, home run, and four runs batted in.

Fellow Canadian Brooke Gannon came on to pitch the final 2 2/3 innings. She grinded her way through those innings, allowing four hits and two walks, but yielding only one run.

GRCC hit 12 home runs in the five game series: Annika Roersmal had dour dingers, Brynn McArthur and Jayne Guichelaar both hit three home runs, and Samara Korehouse and Izzy Regner both had one home run apiece.

While Bay finished its season with that 12-30 record, GRCC improved to 23-16 on the season.