Wayland’s impressive softball winning streak came to an end Saturday in the Frankenmuth tournament, where Home Run Derby was prominently featured.
The Wildcats’ 19-game string was ended in its first game of the day, a 4-3 heartbreaker at the hands of Midland Dow, team named honorable mention in the latest Division 1 poll. The Chargers scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh and final inning.
Madi Ludema was saddled with the pitching defeat. She gave up nine hits, walked none and struck out two.
Highlighting the offense was a home run by first sacker Carli Miklusicak, the first of two for her during the day. However, the ‘Cats managed only five hits in the ballgame.
Wayland and Shepherd battled to a 6-6 draw in the second game. Besides Miklusicak’s blast, Izzy Johnson homered and Shelby VanHouten delivered a long round-tripper.
However, The Lady Jays came up with four home runs themselves. It was reported they had 29 dingers going into Saturday. And they now are 22-9-1.
Miklusicak handled the pitching chores, giving up six runs, walking none and striking out four.
The Lady Wildcats lost 4-2 to the host team, ranked #4 in the latest Division 2 poll, in their third game of the day.
Ludema absorbed the hard-luck loss on the mound, though she gave up only four hits, walked none and struck out five. She also accounted for half of Wayland’s runs with a homer. Hannah Rairigh also had a double.
So Wayland will just about wrap up it season in the O-K Gold Conference Monday against South Christian. The Sailors are chasing the ‘Cats for the league crown and can do some serious damage with a sweep. The ‘Cats are 12-0 in league play and South Christian is 10-2.
The Wildcats now own a 10-0 record in the Gold and they are 23-6-1 overall.