The Wayland varsity softball team claimed its 10th consecutive district championship Saturday afternoon with a 3-1 victory in the final round against Grand Rapids South Christian.

The Lady Wildcats had to turn back South Christian, their chief rival this season in the O-K Gold Conference, for the third time. All of the encounters were close, with Wayland prevailing every time.

Southpaw senior Abby Merice limited South Christian to just two hits and struck out 10 batters.

Getting hits on the offensive side were Merice, Sydney Urben with an RBI,
Chloe Coughlin with a double and Lauren Chiaramonte.

Coach Cheri Ritz’s ‘Cats beat Kelloggsville by two touchdowns, 14-0, in the semifinals while the Sailors were beating up of Wyoming Godwin Heights to the set up the district final matchup.

Wayland last month captured its 14th straight league title with an 11-1 record and it now owns a 17-7-1 overall record. It moves on to an 11 a.m. regional matchup at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hope College against familiar rival Spring Lake.