Norway's MHSAA regional baseball championship is the seventh in program history and third straight. The Knights defeated Hillman 8-1 at Rudyard on Saturday to capture the trophy. (Courtesy photo)

Norway on Saturday won its third straight MHSAA regional baseball championship, and seventh in program history, but saw its season end just short of a third straight trip to the state tournament in East Lansing.

The Knights captured the Region 26 championship with an 8-1 win over Hillman at Rudyard, then dropped a state quarterfinal game 15-9 to Painesdale Jeffers.

“Defending our regional title was one of our goals,” said Norway coach Tony Adams. “Extremely proud of the growth with this team and how they handled adversity all year,” he said. “Probably the most growth by a team in my tenure.”

Owen Baij pitched six scoreless innings against Hillman, fanning 14. He allowed two hits and one walk.

Norway led 3-0 after four innings, then tacked on five runs in the top of the seventh. Landon DeBakker finished on the mound, allowing an unearned run.

“Hard-fought game,” Adams said. “We were hoping to break it open sooner, so give credit to Hillman for battling.”

Cameron Varda led the offense with a home run, triple and double, driving in three runs. Baij laced four singles and Elliott Kraemer doubled and singled.

“Another great outing for Owen on the mound,” Adams said. “In this tournament, he pitched 15 and 2/3 innings allowing 3 hits and striking out 35 batters. When his mechanics are right, he’s tough to handle. Offensively, Cameron set the tone,” he added.

The Knights totaled 13 hits as Tristan Lessor and Landon Ross doubled, while DeBakker and Carter Cazzola singled.

Jeffers jumped to a 10-4 lead in the quarterfinal and the Knights cut it to 10-7 in the top of the fourth. The Jets responded with five runs in the bottom of the fourth and held on from there.

“We knew with Jeffers and the very quick turnaround this game had a chance of being high-scoring,” Adams said. “Nine runs and 13 hits is usually good enough but give Jeffers credit, they grind. We wish them the best at state.”

Norway’s Maddex Burklund clubbed two doubles and a single, Kellan Amundson doubled and singled, and Baij and Ross both singled twice. DeBakker added a double, and Varda, Kraemer and Cazzola all had singles.

Pitching in relief, DeBakker held the Jets scoreless in the fifth and sixth as the Knights tried to battle back. Varda and Hunter Langin worked the first four innings, allowing nine hits and seven walks.

“I thought the big turning point in the game was when we were down three with bases loaded and no outs and didn’t capitalize,” Adams said. “We were chasing the scoreboard the rest of the game.”

Norway finishes the season 22-8. The team’s seniors were a part of 102 wins in high school, Adams noted.

“Great group of kids and our culture was outstanding for the third year in a row,” he said.