LocalSportsJournal.com
MUSKEGON — The North Muskegon Norse were crowned the Tier 2 champions of the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association softball tournament on Saturday.
To reach the finals, North Muskegon defeated Montague, 8-3. In the title game, the Norse defeated Whitehall, 10-0.
In the semifinals, North Muskegon gained the upper hand with a four-run fourth inning. In that pivotal inning, Audrey Brown and Mattie Houseman each knocked in runs during that uprising.
Madison Balon, who double in a run in the opening inning, started on the mound and surrendered three runs on six hits over seven innings of work. She struck out seven. At the plate, Balon hit a home run to help her own cause.
Kiara Mikkelsen had two hits for Montague.
In the championship game, Balon hurled a shutout for the Norse. She allowed just two hits. She had nine strikeouts and did not walk a batter.
Four runs in the third inning by the Norse pushed them into the lead. Abby Bamberg and Baila Lang each singled and Balon doubled.
Balon and Bamberg had multiple-hit games, with Balon contributing three hits.
