North Central senior Sam Salo swings at a pitch against Norway on May 8, 2025 at North Central Baseball Field in Hermansville. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

HERMANSVILLE — Fast starts propelled Norway baseball to a pair of wins over North Central taking game one 13-1 and game two 22-3.

In game one, the Knights put up seven runs in the first inning. Cameron Varda drew a lead-off walk and advanced to second on a steal. Landon Amundson had an RBI double to put the Knights on the board.

“We did a lot of great things today,” Knights coach Tony Adams said. “We have to keep working hard and improving towards tournament time.”

Bryce Adams and A. J. Gallino each had run-producing hits, extending the Knights lead to 4-0. Tanner Finley followed it up with a two-run single extending the lead to 6-0.

In the top of the second, Owen Baij hit a two-run double to extend the Knights lead to 10-0.

Cole Baij picked up the win for the Knights allowing zero runs on zero hits with four strikeouts and two walks.

In game two, Amundson collected three hits in three at bats producing three RBIs.

“I was just sitting waiting for a fastball,” Amundson said. “We saw a lot of fastballs today and I was just trying to stay back and make good contact.”

Norway got on the board in the top of the first inning as Owen Baij grounded out scoring a run and Cole Baij singled to score a run as the Knights pushed across five runs in the first inning.

In the bottom of the first, Aidyn Burton and Beau Maule each drew walks and Nate Pipkorn singled to load the bases. Sam Salo followed it up with a triple scoring three runs to cut the deficit to 5-3.

“That was a great hit by Sam,” Jets’ coach Ben Snyder said. “We definitely had some flashes of what our capability is but at the end of the day we just couldn’t keep it going.”

Norway responded with 11 runs in the second inning highlighted by a two-run single by Varda.

Owen Baij earned the win allowing three runs on one hit with two strikeouts and two walks in one inning of work.