In the regional final, the Knights ended the contest early with eight runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to post a 12-2 victory over Harbor Springs Harbor Light Christian for their first back-to-back regional titles in program history and sixth overall.

Then in the state quarterfinal, again at Rudyard Township Park, Norway exploded for nine runs in the top of the first and went on to pummel Gaylord St. Mary 15-0 in three innings.

“In one of our meetings at the beginning of the year, our players said they believed we could get back to Michigan State,” Norway coach Tony Adams said. “We then focused on all of the things we believed it would take to get there.

“Our kids play for each other and stick together which is crucial when the goals are lofty. Their hard work and belief have paid off in another trip to the state tournament.”

BRYCE ADAMS (Betsy Bloom/Daily News photo)

With Saturday’s wins, the Knights, ranked No. 9 in the final Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association D4 poll, will take on top-ranked Portland St. Patrick. The semifinal matchup on Friday will be at Kobs Field at McLane Stadium on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m. Eastern.

The Knights enter the semi with a 28-4-1 record while the Shamrocks sport a 32-1 mark. On its way to the state semis, Portland St. Patrick outlasted second-ranked Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart 5-4 in eight innings in the regional finals.

In Norway’s regional final victory, the Knights took a lead early with two runs in the bottom of the first. Norway added a single tally in the third before Harbor Springs Harbor Light Christian pulled to within 3-2 in the top of the fourth.

However, the Knights responded with a run in the bottom half of the frame before recording the knockout with eight in the fifth.

Landon Amundson and Bryce Adams led the Norway attack with two hits and three RBIs each. Owen Baij added a single and a triple with two RBIs and two runs scored, while AJ Gallino recorded the other RBI.

Leadoff hitter Cameron Varda posted two hits, including a triple, scored three runs and stole three bases as the Knights stole eight bases in the game.

Cole Baij got the start for Norway and threw five innings of four-hit ball. He allowed two runs and one walk while fanning nine.

“We challenged our kids to leave the hotel and be locked in for a very early start time,” Adams said, referring to the 10 a.m. Eastern first pitch. “Offensively, we were in attack mode and four kids with multiple hits is impressive. Cole Baij was fantastic on the mound and our defense was solid behind him.”

After grabbing a 9-0 lead in the first inning of the quarterfinal, Norway added four in the second and two more in the third to post more than enough runs to end the game early.

Varda, Amundson, Owen Baij, Gallino and Landon Ross all drove in two runs, while Carter Cazzola and Elliot Kraemer added one each.

Amundson and Cazzola each smacked a triple to account for Norway’s two extra-base hits.

Adams finished with a team-high three runs scored and two stolen bases. Kraemer also swiped two bases.

Owen Baij got the start in the quarterfinal and allowed two hits in three shutout innings. The junior struck out four and did not issue a walk.

“We are proud of the way our kids handled the road trip, the early morning, and the long day,” Adams said.

Adams also praised the work of assistant coaches Bob Amundson, Brett Baij, Kody Hendricks and Randy Van Gasse.

“(They) have done an outstanding job again of developing our players,” he said.