MUSKEGON — North Muskegon softball coach Matt Houseman preaches to his team to improve by 1 percent each day. If that happens, then the Norse will be in good shape.
Houseman had to be happy with the incremental improvement his Norse exhibited on Saturday.
North Muskegon captured the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association Tier 2 tournament championship. The Norse defeated Montague, 8-3, before they took down Whitehall, 10-0, in the tourney finals at Muskegon Community College’s field.
“I am so proud of these kids. We are young and inexperienced in spots, but we get better every day,” Houseman said. “Our veteran players are playing really well right now.
“We preach, if we can get 1 percent better every day, we can have a good year and they have bought into that system. We are a true family that loves and cares about each other and that is the biggest thing that they can get out of this. Proud, proud coach right here.”
Junior Maddie Balon powered the Norse (10-8) on Saturday. She pitched the shutout in the finals against Whitehall and allowed only two hits, while striking out nine and walking none.
Balon finished 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the offense against Whitehall.
“(Balon) had two doubles and an absolute bomb at the plate,” Houseman said.
Houseman also cited the play of Rylee Cooper, Baila Lang, Mattie Houseman, Audrey Brown and Abby Bamburg, who all had multiple-hit games for the Norse.
Against Montague, Balon earned the pitching win by allowing six hits with seven strikeouts over seven innings of work.
“Pitching and defense is always key for us. Maddie Balon was exceptional on the mound for us today. She battled and was mentally tough all day,” Houseman said.
