The Wayland boys’ varsity bowling team hit a bad patch Wednesday and Thursday in suffering two league losses.

The Wildcats lost 18-12 Wednesday to Grand Rapids Catholic Central and 19-11 Thursday to South Christian.

Coach Sherry Miklusicak said of the loss to Catholic Central, “I never expected we would lose this match, but we have to pick up spares if we want to win.”

Wayland won the first Baker game 145-140 despite four open frames. The team was guilty of seven opens in the second Baker game, prompting the coach to comment, “Needless to say we didn’t win that game. We lost 124 to 180.”

In the first individual game, the Wildcats lost 827-788.  Cameron Heintzelman did roll a 210 game.

On Thursday night the boys were up 10-0 initially after the two Baker games, winning 199-194 and 215-191.

“I had a good feeling that went ‘south’ quickly,” Miklusicak said. “South Christian came back to settle the score!”

The Sailors, perennially among the top league teams, were stunned by Wayland earlier this season, but they earned revenge Thursday afternoon.

South Christian rolled games of 211, 237, 235 and 257 in the first individual game to win 1085 – 718.

“Our pep talk included that they probably wouldn’t bowl that score again and we certainly wouldn’t roll any worse than our game,” Miklusicak said. “Well I was correct, but it wasn’t quite enough: South 796 – Wayland 762.

“We really didn’t deserve to win as we averaged at least four opens per game. We need to fix that before next week as we will face Catholic Central and undefeated Byron Center,” the coach said. “I know my boys are better than they performed on Wednesday and Thursday – that is the frustrating part.”

The Wildcats now are 9-5 overall and 7-3 in league action.