The Wayland softball team Thursday split a non-conference doubleheader with Division 1 Jenison to bring its overall season record to 3-1.
The Lady Wildcats won the opener 8-6, but dropped game two by an 8-2 count.
Wayland banged out a dozen hits in the first game, but committed four errors in the field to make ace pitcher Madi Ludema’s task a little more challenging than usual. Only one of Jenison’s six runs was earned. Ludema walked no one and struck out nine over seven innings.
Ludema helped her own cause with a pair of doubles and a 4-for-4 performance at the plate and teammates Kaleigh Lown, Megan Kositsky, Rae Stallard and Shelby VanHouten each added a two-bagger. Kosinski had three hits and Harmony Laker two.
The Wildcats fell behind 4-1 in the first inning, then rallied to knot the count at 4-4. They came up with three clutch runs in the top of the seventh to claim the victory.
Jenison started fast again in the nightcap, taking a 3-0 lead in the first inning, and this time Wayland was unable to battle back. Jenison pulled away with five runs in the top of the seventh inning.
Rae Stallard and Clara Dutkiewicz both delivered a pair of hits, but the ‘Cats managed only seven as a team.
Harmony Laker absorbed the loss on the mound.
