For the first time in over 10 years, the Wayne Lady Bulldogs are District champs.

“We played really well for two days. It was a total team effort. We got timely hits and we were patient at the plate. I’m proud of this team,” head coach Megan Moreno said.

They got three wins in three games (12-3 over Wetumka, 8-3 over Central, 10-2 over Central) at Central last week to take the crown.

Wayne’s last District championship was in 2014 when current assistant coach Michal Hylton-Gregg was playing for former coach Scott Brewer.

The Lady Bulldogs will hit the road for Cyril where they will be in Regionals with Waukomis, Healdton and the Lady Pirates.

Wayne plays the host, #1 Cyril, today at noon.

“We have to play the #1 team, of course. But, I told the team that we’ve met our goals and everthing from here on out is bonus.

“We’ve worked hard and just have to go out there and prove who we are.”

Districts

Last Thursday, Wayne scored six runs in the third and six more in the fifth to pick up the lopsided, 12-3 win over Wetumka.

“It took us a couple innings to get our bats going but when we did, everyone was hitting well,” Moreno said.

Six Lady Bulldogs had a hit in the win – Audra Watts, Cylie Jones, Natalie Knobloch, Skie Jones, Addison Clagg and Kendall Sparks.

They collected 11 RBIs, including three each from Watts, Knobloch and Skie Jones.

Maddie Moreno was in the circle for the win. She pitched all five innings and allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out 11 batters.

Wayne faced Central next and and despite fallling behind 3-0 after two innings, the Lady Bulldogs pulled the 8-3 win.

In the bottom of the third inning, down 3-0, Wayne scored four runs to take the lead. Taelynn Ringwald hit into a fielder’s choice to score one run and Clagg singled to score three.

Wayne added one more run in the fifth and three runs in the sixth.

They finished with eight hits, one each from Alyssa Hobson, Watts, Moreno, Ringwald, Knobloch, Clagg, Skie Jones and Sparks.

Clagg led the team with four RBIs.

Moreno was, once again, rock solid in the circle. She struck out ten batters and allowed just three runs on seven hits.

“It was another slow start for us against Central. But, once we got going, we were putting the ball in play in places their defense was not.”

The win over Central put Wayne in the driver’s seat and they would face Central again on Friday.

The Lady Bulldogs amassed 12 hits and 10 RBIs on the way to a 10-2 win and a District championship.

Wayne jumped out with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Moreno singled down the left field line to score one, Ringwald lined out to score one and Sparks singled down the left field line to score one.

They added one more run in the second.

Hobson, Watts, Moreno and Knobloch each had two hits. Sparks led the team with two RBIs.

Moreno pitched five innings and allowed two runs on two hits and fanned four batters. Knobloch came on in relief for one inning of work. She struck out one.

“We talked about making them earn it, no free passes. And, that’s what we did.”

Notes

Wayne finished second in the conference with six girls named All-Conference – Maddie Moreno (Pitcher of the Year), Alyssa Hobson, Audra Watts, Cylie Jones, Natalie Knobloch and Taelynn Ringwald.

Last year, Wayne finished last in the conference.