Lake Linden-Hubbell center fielder Ashlyn Steves runs to first base during a game last season against Hancock on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Bill Givens Field at the Hancock Driving Park. (Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette)

NORWAY — The Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes softball team scored nine runs in each game of a doubleheader as they earned a pair of wins Thursday on the road over the Norway Knights. They won the opener, 9-3, before scoring a pair of key runs late to break a tie in the nightcap, 9-7.

In the opener, pitcher Payton Goldsworthy went 3-for-3 at the plate with one walk and two RBI. In the circle, she struck out 19 and walked one, while giving up seven hits.

In the second game, she rattled off four hits in five plate appearances, getting the start at shortstop, and knocked in one run. In the circle, she came in to relieve starter Ashlyn Steves, striking out two in 1 2/3 innings.

Steves was good in the opener. The center fielder went 2-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored. She also drew a walk. In the nightcap, she went 5 1/3 in the circle, striking out 12 and walking two. She gave up 13 hits. At the plate, she went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.

In the first game, the Lakes broke open a 0-0 game in the top of the third inning.

Steves opened with a double to lead off. Two batters later, Payton Goldsworthy walked. Two batters after that, first baseman Jovie Daniels doubled to left field, bringing both runners home.

After holding the Knights off the board in the bottom of the third, the Lakes’ offense struck again in the top of the fourth.

Ella Schneiderhan singled to lead off. Left fielder Nevaeha Halley was hit by a pitch. Two batters later, Steves singled to center, loading the bases. Catcher Taylor Goldsworthy brought all three home with a triple to left. Taylor then scored during the next at bat, as Payton Goldsworthy singled to center to bring her sister across the plate.

Norway finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth on an error. The game remained 6-1 in favor of Lake Linden until the bottom of the sixth, when the Knights scored a run.

In the top of the seventh, the Lakes added to their lead.

Second baseman Kyara Mills came up with a one-out single to start the rally. Schneiderhan doubled to right field, putting both runners in scoring position. Halley then singled, which brought both baserunners home. Steves also scored in the inning.

Norway added one more run in the bottom of the seventh, but could not get any closer before Jordyn Moln struck out to end the threat.

In the second game, the Knights struck first, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning with one out. They added another on a wild pitch before the frame came to a close.

Norway then added another run in the bottom of the second, and led 4-0 at that point.

Lake Linden got on the board in the top of the third.

Taylor Goldsworthy singled to lead off. Payton Goldsworthy followed with a double to center, bringing Taylor home. Three straight outs left Payton on third base.

The Lakes held the Knights off the board in the bottom half of the inning, and then found their offense again in the top of the fourth.

Halley drew a walk to lead off. Eleanor Corrigan singled, giving Lake Linden runners on first and second. Halley was picked off at second, and then Schneiderhan lined out, and suddenly the Lakes were sitting at two outs before Steves tripled, which brought Corrigan home.

Steves kept the Knights off the board in the bottom of the fourth, giving her team a chance to catch Norway in the top of the fifth.

Payton Goldsworthy led off with a double. Sophia Hampton followed by reaching first on a short dribbler, scoring Payton from second base. Mills followed with a double, putting two runners in scoring position. Daniels then singled, loading the bases. Halley followed with a walk, and suddenly the game was tied at 4-4.

Corrigan walked, bringing Mills home. Two batters later, Steves singled to left, scoring Daniels. Two batters later, with Payton Goldsworthy at the plate, Halley scored on a passed ball, and the Lakes led at that point, 7-4. Payton struck out to end the rally.

Norway fought back with three runs in the bottom of the sixth, tying things again, 7-7.

With two outs already in the top of the seventh, the Lakes struck again. Steves drew a walk to get things started. Taylor Goldsworthy followed with a home run, putting Lake Linden back up by two, 9-7.

Payton Goldsworthy took to the circle with a chance to shut down the Knights’ offense, and that is just what she did. After giving up a single and a walk, she struck out the next two batters. The final batter grounded out to end the game.

Up next

The Lakes were back in action Friday with a doubleheader in Menominee. They are scheduled to play their first home games of the season Monday, when they host Calumet at 4 p.m.