Tushka ends Wayne’s season

Despite taking the one run lead in the top of the second inning, Wayne lost to Tushka, 10-2, in the first round of the State tournament last Tuesday.

“They just played better than we did. Our defense wasn’t as good against Tushka as it has been all year and we left too many on base,” head coach Charles Durrence said.

The Lady Bulldogs had 12 hits and scored two runs, but could not get their bats going to keep up with Tushka’s offense.

“When they had people on base, they capitalized on our errors and scored. When we had people on base, we hit it right to them.”

Kaylee Madden, Faith Brazell, Shyleigh Mantooth and Mayce Trejo each had two hits. Haylee Durrence, Daliyah Fuentes, Allison Ryan and Jordyn Debaets each had a hit.

Wayne finished their season with a 28-2 record, only losing to Lindsay and Tushka.

“I thought we played hard all season and did a bunch of the little things right.

“We have made great strides and laid the foundation that will carry over to next year,” Durrence said.

Pocola, the team that Wayne beat to win the Regional tournament, beat Morrison to take the State title.

The Lady Bulldogs are a young team, graduating just three seniors in Trejo, Mantooth and Haiden Parker.

Parker has contributed for Wayne for three years. Trejo and Mantooth saw lots of playing time their junior and senior seasons.

COVID-19 stole their sophomore season.

According to the coach, he’s optimistic about next year with lots of girls back who have had significant experience.

Juniors Madden, Ryan and Emily Woody will be back for Wayne. Also expected to return are sophomores Durrence, Debaets, Fuentes and Faith Brazell. All three contributed heavily to Wayne’s 2022 season.

The coach also mentioned Madi Sharp, Addison Keeler, Zoe Overley and Bryston Shephard. He expects them all to return for Wayne.

“The young girls are good and we’ll have lots of experience back for Wayne. I hope they’ll put the work in this summer and we can carry over our momentum into fast-pitch,” Durrence said.