Perhaps Wayland’s state-ranked softball team can thank MLive.com, formerly known as the Grand Rapids Press, for a little boost before its showdown Tuesday with South Christian.
Perhaps responding to the gauntlet thrown down by MLive’s pre-season preview a couple of weeks ago, coach Cheri Ritz’s crew swept a doubleheader 13-3 and 13-2, winning both by mercy rule after five innings.
To be sure, the Sailors represented the only blemish on the Lady Wildcats’ 11-year league championship run by sharing league honors one season, but the MLive article poured gas on the fire by suggesting South Christian was inching closer to dethroning Wayland from its lofty and lengthy perch.
Abby Merice pitched a complete game in both contests. She didn’t allow an earned run in the opener and scattered four hits while striking out three batters.
Leading the Wildcats offensively were Hannah Sikkema, 3-for-4; Bethany Teunissen 3-4 with a double and a run batted in; Chanlyn Commons 3-4 with a double and RBI; Leigha Morse 2-3 with a double and 2 RBIs, and Lauren McCulligh 2-3 with two doubles and two RBIs.
Wayland plated six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to end the contest early.
In the second game Merice allowed six hits while striking out seven batters.
Leading the Wildcats offensively were Merice, 3-4 with three RBIs; Commons 2-2 with an RBI, and Lauren McCulligh 2-2 with two RBIs
The Lady Wildcats now are 6-0 in O-K Gold Conference play and 11-1 for the season overall.
