With three doubleheaders left this season, the Wayland High School varsity softball team is closing in on regaining the O-K Gold Conference championship.
The Lady Wildcats, on a mission this spring, swept a doubleheader Tuesday at home against Forest Hills Eastern, 15-0 and 22-0, to hike their league record to 8-0. Among their victories was a twin bill sweep of Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, which was the team that halted Wayland’s perennial streak of league dominance in 2019.
The victories over the Hawks brought coach Cheri Ritz’s team’s overall season record to 15-2, with losses only to Division 1 powerhouse Anchor Bay and Byron Center.
Junior Emma Ludema took the victory on the mound in the opener, striking out seven in four innings of work. Leading the Wildcats on the offensive side was Emma Tornes with three hits, a double and two singles, Grace Kincaidwith two singles, Kayla Reed with two singles, and Emma Ludema added two singles. Hannah Rairigh, Kennedy Cole, Kylie Mutschler and Rya VanderKooi had one hit apiece.
Reed pitched a shutout at Forest Hills in the other game and Cole hit yet another homer.
The Lady Wildcats are supposed to play a non-league game Friday against Jenison.
