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Knights prep for district tournament run

Senior members of the Norway varsity baseball team Isaac Lorenzoni, Carson Chartier, Blake Dishaw, Michael Peterson, Brent Lagina, Jesse Neumann and Austyn Dwight were honored during Senior Day festivities at Marion Park on Tuesday afternoon. The Knights are 20-5 heading into postseason play. (Courtesy photo)

ESCANABA — The Norway varsity baseball team used an intense, nail-biting regular-season finale Thursday against host Escanaba at Al Ness Field to get ready for what the Knights hope is a long postseason run.

The Knights dropped the matchup 2-1 to the Eskymos (22-3) in eight innings. But, despite the loss in extra innings, coach Tony Adams was pleased in what he saw from his team.

“Isaac Lorenzoni was awesome today on the mound and our defense was pretty darn good,” Coach Adams said. “I’m proud of our kids, we were locked in and focused. We had multiple opportunities and we just couldn’t cash in.

“Escanaba is really good. They make you think and we were right there,” he added. “If we can play like this in the tournament, clean up a couple things on offense, we will be a tough out in the tournament.”

Lorenzoni started and tossed a solid six innings, giving up just one run on two hits and a walk, while striking out three. Alex Ortman took the loss, as the Eskymos scored off the Knights hurler in the eight inning to secure the victory. Ortman fanned two, while giving up the run on three his and two walks.

Lorenzoni also had a solid day at the plate, leading Norway with a 3-for-3 performance and driving Cameron Varda for the team’s only run in the sixth inning.

Cole Baij (2-3, BB) and Carson Chartier (2-4) also had multiple hits for the Knights.

The Knights displayed how explosive they can be just two days earlier, when sweeping a doubleheader against visiting rival Stephenson 10-0 and 11-1 on Tuesday at Marion Park in Norway while also celebrating Senior Day.

The Knights tallied nine hits in the first game and another seven in the second.

Owen Baij (2-3, 2 Rs, RBI) and Bryce Adams (2-2, 2 Rs, 2 RBIs) helped power Norway’s offense in Game 1, while Landon Amundson (2-2, BB, RBI) was the only Knight with more than one hit in Game 2.

“All of our pitchers pounded the strike zone which is key for us,” Coach Adams said. “Offensively, we did some good things and we have some situations where we need work.”

The Knights will host the MHSAA District 98 tournament starting Tuesday.

North Central will face Stephenson in the opening game of the tournament at 1 p.m., with Norway then set to play North Dickinson at 4 p.m.

The winner of the North Central-Stephenson clash will advance to play Forest Park in the district semi-final at 10 a.m. on June 2, with the winner of Norway-North Dickinson to play Bark River-Harris in the day’s second game at 1 p.m.

— Report compiled by Daily News sports editor Dennis Mansfield.

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