Just like last season, the Wayland High School softball team seems overlooked by the ratings “experts.”
The Wildcats Saturday annexed three more victories by sweeping Fremont, Holland Christian and Niles at the Holland Invitational to run their overall season record to 9-1. Yet they appear nowhere in Division 2 state rankings.
Wayland in bygone years had a perennial presence in top 10 lists, but in 2019 it suffered through a rebuilding season and then lost an entire season to Covid-19 in 2020. Coach Cheri Ritz’s ‘Cats roared back with a vengeance in 2021 and lost in the state quarterfinals to eventual champion Owosso in extra innings.
A little respect?
Emma Ludema limited Niles to three hits in a five-inning 5-1 victory in the finals that was halted by rainstorms. She struck out eight hitters.
Hannah Rairigh had a terrific day on the offensive side, drilling eight hits in three games, including two in the finale. Kami Morse collected three runs batted in.
In the tournament opener, the senior ace hurler Ludema and the Wildcats blanked Fremont 10-0 in five innings with a perfect game no-hitter. Ludema struck out 12 batters.
Hannah Rairigh had a big game offensively with three hits, including an inside park homer. Kami Morse added another hit and Kennedy Cole one safety. Rairigh drove home three runs and Emma Tornes and Oakleigh Hulst both contributed two RBIs.
The Wildcats then blasted Holland Christian 15-0 in four innings, fueled by a nine-run first inning burst.
Freshman Harmony Laker tossed a two-hit shutout, fanning six hitters.
Morse and Rairigh both had another productive offensive effort with three hits apiece to pace a 14-hit attack. Rya Vanderkooi had four RBIs, Morse added three and Ludema two.
Wayland will be at Grand Rapids Catholic Central for a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon, resuming O-K Gold Conference play.
