The Knights slugged 13 hits and drew 11 walks in the first game. The hit parade included a double and home run by Kendall Burklund.

“Wasn’t the first (home run) of her career, but it was a very meaningful one,” said Norway coach Rob (Kuba) Bal. “If you know Kendall, she’s been through a lot in the past year. There isn’t a kid who works harder at her game than she does.”

Addyson Burklund added two doubles and a single while Jordyn Moln ripped a double and two singles.

Myah Gilroy and Aubree LaPine doubled for the Knights, who also got a single apiece from Payton Paquette, Tessa Castelaz, and Arianna Porthouse.

Norway pitcher Lila Moraska winds to fire Tuesday.

Kendall Burklund pitched three scoreless innings, allowing a hit, two walks and fanning two. LaPine worked the fourth inning, allowing two earned runs and striking out two.

The Knights took advantage of numerous Cougars errors and drew eight walks in the second game. Lilly Tomlanovich had two singles. Moln, Gilroy and the Burklunds also had hits.

Lila Moraska allowed a double and a run and whiffed five in two innings on the mound. Moln pitched the third inning, fanning one to close it out.

On Thursday, Norway earned a pair of four-inning victories at Marion Park over Stephenson, 15-0 and 17-2.

Kendall Burklund pitched the opener, allowing two hits, a walk, and whiffing eight. The Knights collected 15 hits, including a double and two singles by Gilroy and two singles apiece from Porthouse and Burklund. Devynn Ross doubled.

In the second game, Moraska took the mound, fanning nine. She allowed one hit, no earned runs and walked one.

“With Kara (Stanchina) out with injury, we were unsure who our second pitcher would be — Lilah has been a pleasant surprise,” Bal said.

The offense was led by a triple and single from Addyson Burklund and two singles by Tomlanovich.

Castelaz and Moraska added singles as the Knights also drew 14 walks.

“So far, I’m happy with our progress, things are looking up,” said Bal. “We have a lot of things to do yet.”

He noted the Knights are a relatively young group — 10 freshmen and sophomores and eight juniors and seniors.

Stanchina will likely miss two-thirds of the season and the Knights have been nursing some other injuries as well.

“We hope to have Kara back here for the stretch run, she’s a big part of the game,” Bal said.

Norway (8-7) will have a busy week ahead — Rapid River on Monday, Bark River on Thursday, Munising next Friday and an Escanaba tournament next Saturday.

“It’s a nine-game week. You have to be ready for everything,” said Bal.