Norms rally for tie in opener; Gain blowout in game 2.

The 2006 version of the Norms came out of the gates shaky, steadied the rig, and put the hammer down in the end. They rallied for a 17-17 tie against the more experienced MSSW squad in game 1 and hammered a weaker Team CHAOS 20-8 in game 2.

The Norms fell into a deep hole in game 1 as they fumbled, misjudged, kicked, booted and stunk their way to a 17-8 deficit after 4 innings. The bats came alive in the 5th and the Norms were aided by some questionable defense by MSSW late in the game. With 2 out and 1 runner on in the top of the 7th and trailing 17-13 the Norms got 3 straight hits from Aaron Wright, Jeff Johnson and Donny Willis, a walk from Chris Jones and another single from Jay Gregerson to tie it up. Eric Harre then came in to pitch the bottom of the 7th in relief of Brandon Butorac and earn the tie. The hitting heroes in game 1 were Kelly Knutsen, who finished 3-4 with a solo HR, 3 runs scored and 3 RBI. Mike Daughton was 4-4 with 2 RBI and 3 runs and Donny Willis and Gregerson finished with 3 hits apiece.

Domination was the word in game 2 as the Norms were never challenged. They jumped out with 8 runs in the top of the first and never looked back in a 20-8 blowout victory. TJ Albrecht led the charge with 5 hits and 4 runs scored. Knutsen added 4 more hits, including a 2 run HR and 4 RBI. Daughton, Jeff Johnson, and Donny Willis (Donny ballgame as some call him) racked up 3 hits apiece. Johnson added 3 RBI. Brandon Butorac went the distance on the mound and picked up the victory.

The Norms take their 1-0-1 record into a 6pm single game next Wednesday, May 10th against Caspers Sports Barn (1-1).