Since Cheri Ritz began coaching Wayland softball more than 25 years ago, only one team in the O-K Gold Conference has ever bested the Wildcats for the league title — Middleville Thornapple Kellogg.
Hopes and dreams for that happening again were dashed Wednesday afternoon when Ritz’s ‘Cats took both ends of a doubleheader, 9-0 and 11-0. The twin shutouts lifted Wayland’s overall record to 13-3 and its Gold record to 4-0.
Pitchers Madi Ludema and Harmony Laker both hurled shutout ball while the Wildcats’ offense was more than adequate.
Pounding out nine hits in the opener, Wayland was held scoreless in the first two innings but erupted to score in each of the last five frames. Ludema gave up six hits, walked two and struck out nine.
Shelby Van Houten and Rae Stallard both had two hits. Stallard, Laker, Kaylee Lown and Ludema each delivered a double.
Laker worked only five innings on the mound in the nightcap because the contest was shortened because of the mercy rule. She walked nine and struck out six, yielding four hits.
Ludema unloaded a home run, Laker and Lown both had a double and the Wildcats collected 13 hits. Ludema went 4-for-4, Lown had three hits and VanHouten and Stallard both had two hits. Ludema and Stallard both drove in three runs.
Wayland will resume O-K Gold Conference action Thursday against Grand Rapids Union, weather permitting.
