The Wayland softball team used solid pitching and defense to subdue Division 1 opponent Caledonia twice in a doubleheader Saturday, 2-0 and 4-1.
Senior ace Emma Ludema and freshman phenom Harmony Laker both threw one-hitters at the Fighting Scots to lift coach Cheri Ritz’s crew’s season record to 13-1. The Wildcats lost their season opener 4-1 to Division 1 honorable mention Jenison, but since then have reeled off 13 consecutive triumphs.
Wayland finally appeared in the Michigan Softball Coaches Association’s state rankings for Division 2 in the honorable mention listing.
In the opener Saturday morning, Ludema struck out 10 Caledonia batters en route to her one-hit shutout.
Meanwhile, the ‘Cats pushed across two runs in the fourth inning, driven home by Ludema and Kami Morse.
Wayland had only six hits in the contest, but it was enough for the win.
The Wildcats collected eight hits in game two, pushing across a couple of runs in the third inning and one apiece in the fourth and seventh innings. Jada Mohon, Kaelyln Sikkema and Rya Vanderkooi each delivered two hits for the offensive attack.
Laker pitched a complete seven-inning game for the first time in her brief career. She struck out four.
Wayland will get back into O-K Gold Conference action Tuesday afternoon when they travel to Cedar Springs. The ‘Cats thus far are 4-0 in league play.
