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Despite the cold and rainy weather, Taylor was dominating in the pitcher's circle against the overmatched Norsemen.

The veteran Blazer starter gave up just one hit, walked one and struck out 12 batters in an impressive performance.

Another returning starter, third baseman Kaiti Jones finished the game a sparkling 4-of-4 at the plate to lead the Blazers' offense.

She drove in two runs.

Bernadette Gillespie was right behind her with three hits. Veteran shortstop Kara Ponstein, Maria Harbour and Jennifer Spann each had two hits. Both of Spann's hits were triples.

Kristi Peters had one hit and drove in two runs, while Jones and Spann both pushed across two runs as well for the Blazers.

"It was a cold, miserable day," Kalkaska softball coach Rik Ponstein said. "We got a half-inning into the second game and it started raining too hard."

Still, it was a good start going into Monday afternoon's scheduled doubleheader at Petoskey.

Fortunately, the weather is supposed to improve.

Playing conditions were brutal on Tuesday, making it difficult for the team to maintain its focus.

It was a particularly challenging day for Taylor in the circle.

"Her hands were cold and everything," Ponstein said. "But, she pitched very well. She had good command of her pitches, even though it was so cold."

Batting in that kind of cold isn't easy, either, but from the statistics it's evident the Blazers were able to concentrate at the plate.

Conditions were supposed to improve this week, with the mercury rising into the 50's by Tuesday when the Blazers were to open the Lake Michigan Conference season at Elk Rapids.

The warmer temperatures will help the pitchers, and allow the batters to get loose in the on-deck circle.

Kalkaska is defending league and district champion.

In fact, the Blazers are four-time defending district title-holders.

And they have a fifth straight district title in their sights this season with a solid group of returning veterans back.