The Wayne 14-under Dirt Devils have been preparing for the Class C State Tournament in Hastings this weekend. And, if their play in a triangular at Wisner last Tuesday, June 29, is any indication, it seems like they’re ready.
Wayne shut out both Wisner and Logan View in dominant fashion that day to improve to 22-8 on the year.
In the first game against Wisner, the Dirt Devils got off to a slow start with a scoreless first inning. Once someone found the “on” switch for the bats, they were off to the races, putting up seven runs in both the second and the fourth to cruise to a 16-0 win over the host squad.
Taytem Ellis and Rylin Hall led the Wayne 14s with four and three hits, respectively. Ellis also accounted for five RBIs.
Sammi Gubbels threw for eight strikeouts in the pitcher’s circle.
The second game against Logan View was just a continuation of the first, with Wayne only needing two at bats to put away its opponent in a 16-0 thrashing.
Everyone seemed to be invited to the hit party, with the Devils tallying 10 of them, just as they did in the first contest. Kierah Haase, Caitlyn Mostek and Liberty Titiml all made two hits. Mostek also led the team with three RBIs.
Hall got the pitching win, allowing just one hit while striking out one LV batter.
The Wayne 14s added another regular season home game against the Creighton Thunder – another state-qualifying club – on Tuesday in preparation for this weekend’s big tournament. Wayne’s first state game will be against Wakefield at 1:30 p.m. on Friday in Hastings.
