WMC beats Ludington and drops one to Mason County Central

WMCC traveled to Ludington Thursday to take on Ludington and Mason County Central and came away with a win against Ludington, 17-6 and loss against Mason County Central, 8-2.

Playing Ludington for the third time in two days, WMCC jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first.  That lead was extended to 7-1 in the middle of the second inning.  Ludington came back with a 4-spot in the bottom of the second to cut the lead to 7-5.  Over the next two innings, WMCC scored ten runs to take a 17-5 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth.  Ludington added a run in the bottom of the fourth, after which the game was called due to the time limit.

WMCC was led on offense by Hannah Nestell (WMC), Abby Sweetman (WMC), and Kelcea Waller (WMC), all with 2 hits.  Nestell and Taylor Mosher (WMC) drove in 3 while Sweetman drove in two.  Sophie Hawke (WMC) picked up the win, pitching 4 innings and striking out four.

Ludington received 2 hits each from M Mulherin, B Wysong, and H Roose as well as two inside-the-park homeruns from M Howe, who drove in four.  Mulherin and O Verstrat combined to pitch 4 innings and strike out two.

Up next for WMCC was Mason County Central.  After trading runs in the first inning, MCC added a run in the bottom of the second to take a 2-1 lead.  That lead held until the top of the fourth when WMCC’s Maria Sanocki (MCC) led off with a single and scored on a groundout by Sweetman.  MCC quickly responded with a run in the bottom of the frame to regain the lead at 3-2.  After keeping WMCC off the board in the fifth, MCC scored five runs in the bottom of the inning to take an 8-2 lead and put the game away.

WMCC had four hits, two from Sanocki and one each from Catherine Bradford-Royle (WMC) and Waller.  Nestell and Sweetman drove in the runs.  Sanocki and Hawke handled the pitching duties and struck out one.

MCC was led on offense by B Green, A Erikson and S Bice, each with 2 hits.  M Anfeld picked up the win, striking out 7.

WMCC is now 9-17 overall and 3-9 in Lakes 8 conference play.

From WMCC Coach Jeff Nestell: “I was pleased with how we played today.  Before the game we talked about getting an early lead and they responded with a 5-run first inning.  We kept the offense going all game, even coming back to score 4 runs on a pitcher who shut us down yesterday.  Sophie pitched another great game, and, along with our defense, kept Ludington from getting back into the game.  Against Mason County Central, we kept the game close until the end.  When we didn’t put a lot of runs on the board, again it was our pitching and defense that kept the game close.  Even though we let the game slip away at the end, I was pleased with our performance.  Our regular season is quickly coming to a close with a final doubleheader next Tuesday and then it’s on to districts.  We’re looking to finish strong.”