The Wayland varsity baseball team captured the Chris Stirn Invitational Tournament title by defeating host Chippewa Hills 12-2 in the championship game Saturday afternoon.

The Wildcats earned a shot at the title by defeating Farwell 11-6 earlier in the day.

Wayland’s margin of victory shortened the contest to just five innings because of the mercy rule.

Kaleb Merren started on the mound going 3 innings, allowing 2 runs, both earned, on no hits and 6 walks. Travis Cutler came on in the fourth and pitched 2 innings of solid relief, giving up no runs on 2 hits, while striking out 3.

Carter Morse paced the offensive attack, going 3-for-3 with 2 RBIs, 3 runs scored, and a stolen base. Jeff Betz was 1-for-2 with 2 runs scored, 2 walks, 2 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases. Sean Maddux was 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs, 1 stolen base, and a run scored. Parker Atwell knocked in 2 runs while going 1-for-2 with a run and a stolen base.

The Wildcats defeated Farwell High School in the opening game of the invitational. Picking up the win on the mound was Bradey Weston, as Weston went 4 2/3 innings, giving up 2 runs, 1 earned, on 6 hits while striking out 2.

Travis Cutler erupted for the Wildcat offense, going 3-for-4 with 2 doubles, 4 RBIs, 2 runs, and 3 stolen bases. Sean Maddux was also 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs, 2 stolen bases, and 2 runs scored.

Coach Trenton Wilcox’s Wildcats, now 5-11 overall for the season, will be back in action Tuesday, May 3, when they travel to Hastings High School for an O-K Gold Conference double-header beginning at 4:15 p.m.

(Photo courtesy of Shelly Salisbury Whitley)