“It was an emotional day — I couldn’t be happier,” said Norway coach Robert (Kuba) Bal. “People don’t realize the time and work these girls put in — you don’t sell these things on Amazon, you earn them.”

Bal said the regional championship title is for all the girls who have gone through the program and helped shape it to what it is today.

The Knights expected a tough matchup with Hancock, based on their earlier meetings this season.

In their first doubleheader, Norway dropped the opener by a single run before battling Hancock to a tie in the second game. Saturday’s regional semifinal proved to be just as competitive.

Norway's Payton Paquette arrives at second base after delivering a key hit against Hancock in an MHSAA regional semifinal game Saturday at Lake Linden. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photos)

Trailing 1-0 entering the bottom of the third, Norway’s offense came alive with a string of clutch hits.

“We had four consecutive doubles,” Bal said. “Tessa (Castelaz) started us off and scored on Kara (Stanchina)’s double. Then Addy (Burklund) and Payton (Paquette) followed with doubles.”

Paquette delivered one of the biggest hits, driving in two runs. Jordyn Moln had reached on a walk before Burklund’s hit, and both came around to score on Paquette’s double.

“That was huge for us,” Bal said.

The 11-0 win over Superior Central in the championship game lasted five innings as Kendall Burklund held the Cougars hitless while striking out 10. She hit one batter and walked one — allowing just two baserunners.

Tessa Castelaz of Norway delivers a hit against Hancock in an MHSAA regional semifinal Saturday.

Bal said Burklund was also effective against Hancock, striking out 12 batters and giving up only six hits.

“She’s been dialed in since about the sixth in the Bark River (district title) game — it showed today,” he said.

Burklund notched a strikeout to seal the win against Hancock with the tying run on second base.

Castelaz led Norway at the plate against the Bulldogs, smashing a single along with her double. Kendall Burklund and Devynn Ross singled.

Against Superior Central, Norway plated five runs in the bottom of the first, added five more in the third and another in the fourth.

The Knights collected eight hits, led by Paquette’s double and single and two RBIs. Kendall Burklund added two singles, while Addyson Burklund and Castelaz doubled. Moln and Myah Gilroy singled.

“I was happy that we had enough energy left to finish the job,” Bal said.

He credited the regional championship to the collective effort of the entire roster. “A total team effort — that’s what makes this team successful,” he said.

Norway has reached the regional championship game several times over the years, but had been unable to capture a win.

Bal, who has been head coach for 10 years, said one of the closest calls came in a 3-1 loss to Indian River in a regional final.

The Knights now turn their attention to Hillman in today’s state quarterfinals. At this stage of the season, Bal said there are few surprises left. “You are who you are,” he said. “The team that makes the fewest mistakes will advance to Michigan State.”