Wayland’s varsity baseball team apparently is on a mission to prove that its recent successes are not a fluke.

Coach Tenton Wilcox’s Wildcats perhaps did just that Wednesday by dealing South Christian its first O-K Gold Conference loss this season 4-3 in the opener of a doubleheader. They lost the nightcap, however, by the same score.

Wilcox said his Wildcats had a chance to pull off an upset sweep, but couldn’t push across the tying run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Taking the loss on the mound for Wayland was Carter Morse, who pitched a complete seven-inning game, allowing 4 runs, 2 earned, on 5 hits, while striking out 3. Morse took a no-hit bid into the 5th inning, but a couple of defensive miscues led to the 3-run inning for the Sailors.

Pacing the offensive attack for the Wildcats were Morse, Jeff Betz and Mitch Dykstra. Morse was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Betz was 2-for-4 with a home run, 2 RBIs, and a run scored. Dykstra was 2-for-3 for the game.

The ‘Cats won a seven-inning thriller in the opener, as they battled back from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Sailors 4.

Mitch Dykstra got things started in the winning rally in the bottom of the seventh with a two-out base hit. He advanced to second base on a single from Logan Sevigny. Carter Morse then delivered the game-winning hit, as he poked one by the second baseman, allowing Dykstra to score from second base.

Getting the win on the mound for Wayland was Jeff Betz, who went all seven innings, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, on 11 hits, while striking out 8.

Leading the way offensively for the Wildcats were Sevigny, Matt Schaendorf and Dykstra. Sevigny was 2-for-4 with a double and a single. Schaendorf was 1-for-2 with a run scored. Dykstra was 1-for-3 with a single and a run scored.

The Wildcats, now 9-13 for the season overall, are back in action Thursday afternoon, as they travel to South Christian to take on the Sailors in the rubber match of this three-game series. First pitch is set for 4:15 p.m.

PHOTO: Mitch Dykstra scored the winning run from second base in the opener.