The Wayland varsity softball team Thursday split a doubleheader with Byron Center to open its season and play its first ballgames in two years.
The Lady Wildcats lost the opener 11-7, but came back to take the nightcap 7-6.
Coach Cheri Ritz described Byron Center as a “very strong, very competitive” outfit.
Leading the Wildcats offensively in the first game was Rya VanderKooi, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and 2 runs batted in. Kami Morse, Kennedy Cole, Grace Kincaid, Emma Ludema and Kaelyn Sikkema each had a hit for the Wildcats. Cole had a triple.
Wayland won game two, as Kayla Reed picked up the victory on the mound.
Kennedy Cole went 2-4 with two home runs and Grace Kincaid went 2-3. Emma Ludema added two hits and Kaelyn Sikkema and Kayla Reed each had one hit.
The Lady Wildcats are scheduled to open O-K Gold Conference action today against Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
