Norway softball takes 2 from Nordics
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- (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photos) North Dickinson’s Gabby Schultz (10) looks to get a running start off first base, with Norway first baseman Jada Freudinger set to make a play defensively, during Wednesday’s girls varsity softball action at Marion Park in Norway.
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- Norway second baseman Kara Stanchina (25) prepares to catch an infield fly for an out Wednesday.
(Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photos) North Dickinson’s Gabby Schultz (10) looks to get a running start off first base, with Norway first baseman Jada Freudinger set to make a play defensively, during Wednesday’s girls varsity softball action at Marion Park in Norway.
FELCH TOWNSHIP — Hannah Burklund threw a no-hitter in the opener and Jada Freudinger ripped a home run and knocked in four in the nightcap as Norway swept North Dickinson in a Skyline Central Conference twinbill on Wednesday in Felch Township.
In the opener, Burklund fanned seven in the Knights’ 9-0 victory over the Nordics. Burklund walked four.
Norway grabbed a 1-0 lead after the first and then added two more runs in the fourth, four in the sixth and two more in the seventh.
Taylor Adams led Norway’s 6-six attack with three hits in four trips. She scored three runs and knocked in one. Freudinger, Kara Stanchina, Olivia Kraemer and Anna Falk all drove home one for the winners. Donna Van Holla recorded a triple for the Knights.
In the second game, the Knights jumped out with five in the top of the first on their way to a 14-3 six-inning victory. North Dickinson (3-9) put its first run of the day on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first, but Norway added three more in the third, one in the fourth and five in the fifth. The Nordics scored their second run in the third and their last in the fifth.
Norway second baseman Kara Stanchina (25) prepares to catch an infield fly for an out Wednesday.
Adams, Romitti and Andi Carlson each smacked triples for the Knights. Romitti finished with four hits, Van Holla and Carlson registered three hits and two RBIs each and Adams finished with two hits and three runs scored.
Aiden Hord paced the Nordics’ offense with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI. Dalaney Steinbrecher chipped in with a hit and an RBI, Mary Grace Holmes and Ava Oman each singled and Gabby Schultz scored a run.
With the wins, Norway improved to 8-6 during a spotty schedule so far with eight games lost due to poor weather/field conditions.
“The weather has been such a crapshoot,” Norway coach Bob “Kuba” Ball said. “You can play games, but it’s tough. You can’t substitute time in the gym for field time.”
The defending district champion Knights have replaced four starters who graduated from last year’s squad. They are also contending with Burklund’s knee injury, which forced the senior to a pitching-only role. Last year, Burklund played the infield and hit eight home runs, but can’t hit this season due to the injury.
Bal said the good news for his 2022-23 squad was picking up senior Andi Carlson and junior Jada Freudinger, who were stalwarts on the Norway district championship basketball squad this winter.
Bal also complimented North Dickinson on its athleticism and said the Nordics should have some success in the first year of their program.