Norway’s Landon Amundson (14) raises his arms in celebration as fellow Knight Jesse Neumann (12) scores during Norway’s 15-0 victory over North Dickinson in the opening round of the MHSAA District 98 tournament on Tuesday at Marion Park in Norway. With the win over the Nordics, Norway advances to face Bark River-Harris at 1 p.m. Friday in one of the tournament’s semi-finals matchups. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

NORWAY — The Norway Knights are set to defend their home diamond at Mike Maule Field and make a run at the MHSAA District 98 title after trouncing North Dickinson 15-0 in five innings in an opening round clash at Marion Park on Tuesday.

The host Knights (21-5) took command early, scoring four runs in the first, three in the second and another seven in the third inning against the Nordics, who are completing their first year as a varsity program. Norway then capped off the victory with one run in the fifth inning.

Norway outhit North Dickinson 11-1 in the win, with Owen Baij (2-3, 2 Rs, 2 RBIs), Michael Peterson (2-3, 2 Rs, 2 RBIs) and Alex Ortman (2-3, R, 4 RBIs) leading the way with two hits each.

Knights coach Tony Adams used a trio of arms to blank the Nordics. Cole Baij started the game, throwing two innings and fanning three before Isaac Lorenzoni took over in the third, pitching the next two innings. He struck out a team-high six Nordics. Carson Chartier took the mound for the fifth and final inning, fanning Nordics for all three outs in the frame.

All three of our pitchers threw strikes and our offense was productive,” Coach Adams said.

North Dickinson baserunner Jason Graham (0) scampers back to first base as Norway infielder Michael Peterson (17) calls for the ball during Tuesday’s district clash at Mike Maule Field. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

Trenton Kramer had North Dickinson’s only hit of the game.

On the mound, Nordic starter Brady Jungwirth took the loss having pitched the first 2 2/3 innings. He was charged with 14 runs — only eight earned with North Dickinson committing four errors — on nine hits. He walked four and struck out one. Spencer Kramer and Trenton Kramer each tossed 2/3 of an inning in relief, with both fanning one.

The tournament was a learning experience for the Nordics, who feature a roster with only one senior, no juniors or sophomores, three freshmen and seven eighth-graders.

“Congratulations to North Dickinson on starting their baseball program,” Coach Adams added.

With the Nordics now out of the way, the Knights can prepare for a busy slate Friday. Norway will face Bark River-Harris at 1 p.m. in one of the tournament’s semi-finals matchups, with North Central and Forest Park playing the other at 10 a.m. The winners will face off in the District 98 title game at 4 p.m. Friday.

— Report compiled by Dennis Mansfield, Daily News sports editor.