Norway sluggers Landon Amundson (14) and Michael Peterson (17) jump and bump in celebration of Amundson crossing the plate for Norway’s only run against North Central in the district semifinal clash Friday morning. The run was enough to beat the Jets and advance to the tournament finals, where they also played Bark River-Harris. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

NORWAY — Turns out, the Division 4, District 98 boys varsity baseball championship really came in the semifinal when host Norway took on North Central on Friday at Mike Maule Field.

Whoever won that game was a clear favorite in the final later in the day.

The Knights (17-8) made one unearned run stand up and went on to knock off the Jets 1-0. Norway finished off its third consecutive district title run with a 19-1, 5-inning rout of Bark River-Harris.

The Knights have now won 10 district championships since 2009.

“Always exciting to win district championship,” Norway coach Tony Adams said. “Proud of our kids, and we are looking forward to playing in the regional semifinal.”

Norway starting pitcher Cole Baij (33) throws a pitch during the Knights’ district opener Friday against the North Central Jets. Baij was masterful on the mound, going the distance while only allowing four hits. He walked just one and fanned 11. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

The Knights will face Painesdale-Jeffers in a regional semifinal game at Ironwood on Wednesday. The game is set for a 4 p.m. (CST) start. The Jeffers dispatched Ironwood 13-2 in 6 innings in the District 97 hosted by Ironwood.

In the District 98 semifinal, Norway’s Landon Amundson scored the game’s lone run in the bottom of the second.

Freshman Cole Baij was masterful on the mound, going the distance while only allowing 4 hits. He walked just 1 and fanned 11.

“Wow, what a game,” Adams said. “Cole Baij was phenomenal on the mound today. Tremendous poise for a freshman, and he just kept pounding the strike zone.”

His counterpart, Adrian Mercier, was terrific as well. Mercier also surrendered just 4 hits and walked only 1. He struck out 7 Norway hitters.

North Central junior catcher Luke Gorzinski was the only player in the game with multiple hits — a pair of singles in his 4 at-bats.

The Jets stranded 7 runners, while the Knights left 6 on base.

“Offensively, we didn’t do a whole lot and missed opportunities in the second and third innings,” Adams said. “Give Adrian Mercier a lot of credit for that as he kept us off balance and North Central made plays behind him.”

Norway senior centerfielder Nolan Amundson made the defensive play of the game in sixth inning.

“It goes in the book as (a line-out to center), but if you were there, you know how difficult of a play it was,” Adams said.

While the semifinal was up for grabs, the final was not. After the teams traded a run each in the first, it was all Norway from the third inning on.

The Knights put up a 10-spot in that frame to pull out to an 11-1 advantage. Norway added 3 in the fourth and 5 more in the fifth to end the game early.

The Knights smacked 10 hits in the game, led by 3 from junior first baseman Michael Peterson. Alex Ortman and Nolan Amundson added 2 hits each, while Chase Carlson drove in 3 runs with a single and a sacrifice fly and Peterson plated 2.

Ortman threw 4 innings and surrendered just 2 hits to pick up the victory. The sophomore did not allow an earned run, struck out 7 and issued 2 free passes.

“Alex Ortman was really good on the mound today, and he, Nolan Amundson, and Michael Peterson did some damage with their bats,” Adams said. “Bark River always plays us tough, and the third inning was obviously the turning point in the game as were able to put pressure on them and take advantage of some situations.

“Overall, our two starting pitchers today were above 65% in the strike zone, our defense held up, and our bats came alive in Game 2,” he added.