Make that three in a row for Wayland junior pitcher Emma Ludema.
She surpassed Johnny VanderMeer’s legendary feat of throwing back-to-back no-hitters Wednesday by throwing her third, the last two perfect games. Ludema set Cedar Springs 12 up and 12 down, as the Lady Wildcats scored a 15-0 victory.
Leading the Wildcat attack on the offensive side were Emma Tornes, going 3-for-4 in the game, Grace Kincaid, Kaelyn Sikkema,and Rya VanderKooi added two hits each. Sikkema and VanderKooi both hit triples. Kami Morse, Ludema and Oakleigh Hulst each had one hit.
The Wildcats plated eight runs in the fourth inning to force the mercy rule in the fifth. VanderKooi, Tornes, Reed, Cole, Morse and Sikkema played major roles in the rally.
Ludema, meanwhile, struck out eight and didn’t allow a baserunner in her four innings of work on the hill. She threw a perfect game at Kenowa Hills Tuesday and tossed a no-hitter at Centreville Saturday.
Later in the evening, Wayland senior Kayla Reed shut out Cedar 10-0, hiking the squad’s O-K Gold Conference record to 12-0. It would take nothing short of a miracle to deny coach Cheri Ritz’s groups’ quest to regain the league title, with only a doubleheader Monday against Ottawa Hills.
The Lady Wildcats now are 22-2 overall on the season and have won their last 19 contests consecutively. They’ve lost only to two Division 1 state-ranked teams, yet they’re only an honorable mention selection in Division 2.
The Lady Wildcats will be host for a quad Saturday before taking on Ottawa Hills and then will get ready for the Division 2 district tournament they will host Saturday, June 5.
Outstanding! Great effort. Congratulations!