---INFORMATION FROM BAY COLLEGE SID MIKE PANKOW IS INCLUDED IN THE REPORT---
ESCANABA---The Michigan Community College Athletic Association announced the post season award for Softball on Tuesday afternoon. And Norse Tim McIntyre was voted by his fellow coaches as the Coach of the Year in the Northern Conference, despite the fact that Bay did not win any games this season (0-33).
McIntyre was praised by his fellow conference coaches for keeping the Norse program going in a very tough situation last fall. McIntyre took over for the late John Garris when Garris died in August of 2025. McIntyre was hired after school was already in session but still managed to field a team after the roster was depleted because of the circumstances.
McIntyre was able to save the Norse softball program, and is already recruiting young women to come to Escanaba to fill out the roster starting this fall.
Bay College's Joelle Jordan was named Second Team All-Northern Conference, while Arianna Hernandez, Nina Bower, and Rylee Gerow received Honorable Mention.
Joelle Jordan (SO, Clarion, PA) played multiple positions for the Norse, including catching, first base, third base, and second base. She tied for the team lead in doubles in the season with five, led the team in home runs and hit .219 with a .260 on base percentage and a .329 slugging percentage.
Arianna Hernandez (FR, Valders, WI) led the Norse with a .271 batting average this season while playing shortstop and catcher. She had four doubles and had a .282 on base percentage and a .329 slugging percentage. Hernandez struck out just nine times in 70 at bats.
Nina Bower (SO, Bark River, MI) transitioned from basketball season to softball and hit .231 with a .286 on base and a .288 slugging percentage. She had three doubles and four walks on the season. Bower also pitched for the Norse and led the team in strikeouts with 41 in 41 innings of work.
Rylee Gerow (SO, Gladstone, MI) collected 15 hits and was tied for the team lead in doubles with five. She had a .238 batting average, a .342 on base percentage, and a .349 slugging percentage. Gerow tied for the team lead in walks, taking nine bases on balls and had eight RBI on the season. She also appeared in 11 games in the pitching circle for the Norse with four starts.
