The Wayland varsity softball team suffered a rare defeat at the hands of a conference opponent Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.

The Lady Wildcats lost 5-3 to Forest Hills Eastern, the first time they’ve been bested by a league opponent since South Christian turned the trick five years ago and earned a league co-championship as a result.

Wayland had taken a 3-2 lead with a single run in the top of the fifth, but Forest Hills came back with three runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Abby Merice pitched a complete game for the Lady Wildcats, allowing four hits and four walks. She struck out seven.

Leading the Wildcats offensively were Merice, 3-for-4 with a double; Hannah Sikkema, 1-3 with an RBI, and Leigha Morse, 1-3.

Wayland came back and won the second game of the twin bill by defeating the Hawks 8-1 to improve their O-K Gold record to 9-1. The Wildcats last week were ranked No. 7 in the state in Division 2.

Abby Merice pitched a complete game only allowing five hits and striking out four.

Chloe Coughlin went 2-for-3; Merice, 3-4 with two doubles; Hannah Sikkema, 2-4 with two doubles and an RBI, Sydney Urben, 2-4 with a home run and two RBIs.