The word is spreading all over West Michigan that the Wayland softball program is back with a vengeance.
The Lady Wildcats, who in 2019 suffered through their first losing season since Hector was a pup, hiked their overall season record to 11-2 Saturday by defeating three opponents, Mt. Pleasant, Grand Haven and Caledonia to capture the trophy in the annual Wayland Invitational.
Coach Cheri Ritz’s group defeated Mt. Pleasant in the first game 7-6 as sophomore second sacker Kami Morse belted a double and two homers. They scored three runs in the bottom of the seveth inning to win it.
Kennedy Cole was also 3-for-4, with a single, a double and a triple. Emma Ludema took the victory on the mound, striking out 10 batters.
The Lady Wildcats defeated Caledonia 13-3 in their second game of the day. Leading the offensive attack was Cole going 3-for-4, with two doubles. Emma Tornes also went 3-4 with a double. Grace Kincaid was 2-3 and Rya VanderKooi was 2-4. Ludema. Kayla Reed. Kylie Mutschler and Jada Mohon had singles.
Taking the victory on the mound was Ludema, allowing five hits and striking out nine batters.
Wayland blanked Grand Haven 10-0 in game three Leading the attack were Morse and Reed, both collecting two hits. Tornes and Mohon each had a double. Grace Kincaid and Rya VanderKooi had singles.
Kayla Reed took the victory on the mound, allowing only two hits and striking out seven batters in 5 innings of play.
The trio of victories also extended the Lady Wildcats’ winning streak to eight and they are undefeated in the O-K Gold Conference.. They saw their longtime league championship streak end two years ago at the hands of Middleville Thornapple Kellogg. They’ll have a score to settle at the Trojans’ field Monday afternoon, beginning at 4:15 p.m.
