The Knights won 19-3 in four innings in the opener and took the second game 21-4 in three innings.

“It’s not only the hitting,” said Norway coach Bob (Kuba) Bal. “The kids are doing whatever we ask of them. They’re understanding taking a bunt, taking a sacrifice to advance a runner. They’re understanding that and doing it well.”

Jordyn Moln paced the day’s offense with two doubles and three singles.

Other leaders were Kendall Burklund, triple and two singles; Payton Paquette, three doubles; Tessa Castelaz, two doubles and a single; and Lilly Tomlanovich, Devynn Ross and Aidan Fisher, two singles each.

Payton Paquette squares for a bunt during Norway's doubleheader sweep Monday at Rapid River.

Addyson Burklund, Kara Stanchina, Aubree LaPine and Myah Gilroy also had singles.

“It was great to see them hit well,” Bal said. “Everyone got in and was able to contribute.”

Kendall Burklund, Moln and LaPine shared pitching duties in the first game, with LaPine tossing a scoreless fourth inning. They struck out eight.

Lila Moraska got the win in the second game, scattering four hits and whiffing eight.

Looking back at a pair of shutout wins Monday against Rapid River in which the Knights also totaled 24 hits, Bal emphasized putting the ball in play.

Tessa Castelaz delivers a hit for the Knights against Rapid River.

“We took five walks (in the first game) and only struck out twice — that’s the bigger takeaway,” he said. “The second game we had 11 hits, but we took nine walks and only struck out three times. For a whole day, five strikeouts, I’ll take that. If we put the ball in play, good things will happen.”

The Knights (12-7) are four games into a nine-game week.

After a conference doubleheader at home today against Munising, they’ll head to Escanaba on Saturday for the third annual Candy Swetkis SISU Strikefest. This year’s tournament features an eight-team field including two teams from downstate — Millington and 2024 champion Three Rivers. Besides Norway, the remaining teams are Escanaba varsity (the 2025 champion), Gladstone, Houghton, Menominee and the Escanaba junior varsity.

Games will be played at the Lemerand Softball Field Complex, located west of the Escanaba High School baseball and football fields.

Norway will face Three Rivers at 9 a.m. Eastern time and the Escanaba jayvees at 11 a.m. A third game will follow at either 1 p.m. or 3 p.m.