WELLS — The Bay College Norse responded when needed here Sunday in a 7-4 softball triumph over Finlandia University in the second game of a doubleheader.

Bay, behind the two-hit pitching of Karlie Patron, also took the opener 3-0 in its first home appearance this season at the Wells Sports Complex.

“Karlie pitched real well,” said Bay head coach Ross Rahoi. “She hit her spots very well. She threw just 75 pitches which is rare for college pitchers. Our defense also played real well. It was nice to play in front of our home crowd. I’m awfully happy they came down here and played us. Only, we had a make sure we stayed focused.”

In the nightcap, the Norse were clinging to a 5-4 lead after Finlandia did all its scoring by taking advantage of five walks, a wild pitch and an error in the sixth inning.

Bay secured the decision on Sarah Wynn’s clutch two-run single to right-centerfield in its half of the sixth.

The Lions threatened in the seventh but stranded two baserunners.

“They helped us out a little, and we were able to capitalize on walks,” said Lions’ coach Matt Farrell. “A little miscommunication on a flyball hurt us, and they took advantage of the error. She (Wynn) got the pitch she wanted and drove it up the middle.”

The Norse (23-15) scored three unearned runs in the first and added a pair in the second, gaining their largest lead on Rachael Winkel’s single to right.

Wynn collected three of Bay’s nine hits and drove in two runs. Lexi Kacalo added two hits.

“Sarah has been awesome for us,” said Rahoi. “She’s a smart, powerful hitter. We had complete confidence she would come through.”

Freshman ShyAnn Vernam, who pitched the entire contest, absorbed the loss. She struck out three and walked one.

“Our girls hit fast pitchers better than those who throw a little slower,” said Rahoi. “Her change-up caused us a few problems. That was a good move by Matt.”

Patron went the distance in the opener, facing just 23 hitters. She struck out eight and walked one.

Wynn scored Bay’s first run on a wild pitch, and Kristen Goodacre gave the Norse a two-run cushion on McKenna Bullen’s ground out to third.

Winkel concluded the scoring in the third frame on Ellie Miller’s grounder to third.

Bay collected nine hits, including three for Winkel and two by Goodacre. Sophomore Elizabeth Ayala had a pair for Finlandia.

Verman also took the complete-game loss in the opener, striking out three and walking none.

“I thought our defense and pitching was good,” said Farrell. “ShyAnn did a nice job mixing her pitches and hitting her spots. They scored early in both games, which I think was the difference.”

The Norse hosted Milwaukee Area Technical College in a twinbill Monday. They travel to Ironwood to face Gogebic Community College in a doubleheader today at 5.

Finlandia hopes to break into the win column for the first time this season Saturday when it hosts Gogebic in a twinbill Saturday.