“Lightning is striking again.” — Lou Christi, No. 1 song in 1965
Though it’s considered extremely rare, lighting struck in the same place,at Zeeland East High School, Monday afternoon when Wayland’s baseball team blanked the host Chix 4-0.
It was the second time in two years that Zeeland East was the victim of a no-hitter by a Wildcats’ pitcher. Southpaw Zach Brog turned the trick two years ago in a 3-0 triumph and Chris Kincaid tossed a hitless gem at the Chix Monday.
Kincaid went the distance on the mound, striking out six Chix hitters and walking four. He was backed by a strong Wildcat defensive effort that kept a high-powered Zeeland East offense in check.
The Wildcats were able to push across three runs in the top of the fourth inning to break open a scoreless game. Mitch Dykstra led off the inning with a single, followed by a Carter Morse double and an RBI single from Parker Atwell. Atwell was able to steal second base, setting up runners on second and thirrd for Chris Kincaid. Kincaid brought home Morse with a sacrifice fly to left field. Atwell advanced to 3rd on a groundout by Travis Cutler, and a two-out throwing error Zeeland’s third baseman on a ground ball from Camden Ritz scored Atwell.
The Wildcats were able to push one more run across in the top of the seventh. Jamie Snyder got things started with a one out single to right field. Keaton McNees entered the game as a pinch runner and proceeded to steal second, before moving to third via a passed ball. Ethan Wood’s sharply hit ground ball to short scored McNees, leading to the final score of 4-0.
The victory lifted Wayland’s overall season record to 1-2 after being swept in a doubleheader last Friday evening to Hastings at Davenport University.
The Wildcats are back in action Tuesday, March 28, when they travel to Byron Center High School for a single game with the Bulldogs beginning at 4 p.m.
PHOTOS: (Courtesy of Kenny Ritz) Chris Kincaid Zach Brog in 2015
