Northern Wishes Theresa Anderson takes a lead off second base Wednesday in a game against JB's Sales and Service in Chassell. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

CHASSELL — There was nothing old about the Old Bats of Michigan Made in Copper Country Women’s Fastpitch Softball Wednesday. On the contrary, the bats of the ladies in blue were quite spry, and it led them to an 8-5 win over Superior Service.

“The team brought incredible energy from the first pitch. We played sharp defense – backing each other up and making smart plays,” said player-coach of Old Bats Danielle Thoune. “Offensively, we were patient at the plate and came through with timely hits.

“Everyone played their role and supported each other the whole way.”

The two teams knotted at one apiece after the opening frame. However, the knot came untied in the top of the second as the Old Bats plated five runs and never looked back. Thoune started the scoring with a base hit. Catcher Aubrey Zackel followed suit and they both scored on a AnnaMae Nolan two-RBI single to left center. Nolan scored courtesy of pitcher Mel Baker’s double and Tessa Cipriano was the fifth run.

While Superior Service scored in the third and the fifth, Old Bats countered with their own two runs in the fourth and the fifth to keep the lead at 8-3 with two frames to go.

“The key tonight was confidence and hustle,” said Thoune. “We kept pressure on the bases stayed aggressive and capitalized on opportunities. We played as a team, and that made all the difference.”

While Superior Service scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh, it was three runs too short. This one ended 8-5 in favor of the Old Bats.

“Game ball goes to Mel Baker,” added Thoune. “She pitched like she’s still young, and her confidence around the bases made runs.”

Northern Wishes 14, JB’s Sales and Service 8

In the second game in Chassell, Northern Wishes continued the “big-second inning” theme that was established in the first game by the Old Bats. However, it was cushioned by nine more runs in a 14-8 win over JB’s Sales and Service.

After JB’s jumped on the board in the first with Kenzie Ekdahl and Sadie Biekkola crossing home, Northern Wishes countered with five in the second. This included base hits by Theresa Anderson, Sylvia Aho and Brita Haatula. They all scored, as did Kim Aho and Naomi Frahm, to take a 5-2 lead.

It stayed that way after three, and both teams scored four in the fourth to move the score to 9-6. That changed in the fifth, however as Northern Wishes tagged on another four runs much to the pleasure of their player-coach, Kim Aho. They added one more in the sixth to top off at 14 and a six-run victory.

“We hit the ball, and we hit the ball some more tonight,” noted Aho. “We played the field well, and Larissa Peterson did a great job pitching. So it all came together.”

Peterson earned the win and Stella Soumis took the loss for JB’s.

Gold Standard 4, Finnish Coat 2

At the Boneyard in Lake Linden, Gold Standard defeated Finnish Coat, 4-2.

Emily Jokela was the winning pitcher with eight strikeouts. Lena Myhren took the loss.

For Gold Standard, Jokela had a home run, a triple and a single. Taylor Goldsworthy and Ella Schneiderhan each had singles.

For Finnish Coat, Brynn Arko had a single and a triple. Josie Hembroff and Lena Myhren each singled as well.