Norway’s Hannah Burklund (18) toes the mound in relief against Rudyard on Saturday in Rapid River. The Bulldogs defeated the Knights 15-4 in the Division 4 regional semifinal. (Jodie Gilroy photo)

RAPID RIVER — The Norway Knights fell victim to Rudyard’s big fourth and fifth innings in a 15-4 softball loss in a Division 4 regional opener here Saturday.

Norway was within 5-4 in the middle of the fourth before the Bulldogs erupted for seven runs in their half of the inning and added three in the fifth.

The Bulldogs then beat Ishpeming 6-1 for their third straight title

Rudyard (27-5) hosts Hillman in a state quarterfinal contest Tuesday. Norway finished 23-7.

The Bulldogs took advantage of three errors in the fourth and one in the fifth.

“Those were very uncharacteristic for us,” Norway coach Bob Bal said. “Going 23-7 is nothing to complain about. We lose only one senior, although this was tough for Mackenzie (Clifford). We won a district and she was happy to be part of that. I just wish we could also have won a regional for her.”

The Bulldogs secured the decision on Sara Beelen’s walk-off, two-run homer over the centerfield fence in the fifth.

In the fourth, Karlee Mayer’s two-run single along the rightfield line and Tori Tremblay’s two-run double to left were Rudyard’s key hits, with Chesney Molina adding an RBI single to left.

Hannah Burklund gave the Knights a 1-0 lead on Donna VanHolla’s single to left in the first. Averie Popp then made it 2-0 on a throwing error.

The Bulldogs sliced their deficit in half on junior Morgan Bickel’s double and tied the contest on Megan Postma’s single.

Rudyard took a 3-2 lead on Tremblay’s single to left in the second

The Knights responded in the third, tying the contest on VanHolla’s second single to left and regaining the lead on Clifford’s infield single.

Rudyard then went ahead to stay by scoring twice in its half of the third.

Norway collected seven hits, including two each by Burklund and VanHolla.

The Bulldogs finished with 15 hits.

Norway committed six of the eight errors in the contest.

“Field conditions were tough,” Bal said. “It was dry due to a lack of rain and groundballs were an adventure. Although, that’s not an excuse. Rudyard hit the ball well. They were the better team today.”

Bickel pitched the entire contest for the win. She struck out seven and walked none.

Kali Stanchina, who worked 3 2/3 innings, absorbed the loss. She fanned three, walked one and surrendered 12 runs on 12 hits.

“With nearly everybody coming back, I like our chances for next year,” Bal said. “If the coaches put in their time and players make the commitment, we can make it happen.”