In a league of their own; Gaylord softball outscores top-ranked opponents 22-0
GAYLORD — Sometimes, a team can be 'too' good to properly evaluate.
When you watch some of the best of the best teams play their regular season conference schedule, when a team is really good, like state-title contending good, they will look like they are on another level than the teams they face on a regular basis. As is the case with Gaylord softball.
What is the true test of an exceptionally great team? When that team goes up against the other teams that are really, really good and still seem to be in a league of their own.
That was the Blue Devils' story this weekend as they welcomed in some of the state's best teams and did what they did best, flexing their muscles on Friday, May 10 against the No. 3 ranked team in Division 2, Richmond, before doing the same thing against the reigning Division 1 state champion Hartland Eagles on Saturday, scoring 22 runs in 10 innings for back-to-back mercy-shortened wins as they continue on path towards a second state title.
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Gaylord offense runs all over Richmond
It takes just over three hours to travel from Richmond High School all the way up to Gaylord, according to Google Maps. Once the No. 3 ranked Blue Devils showed up on Friday afternoon, the No. 1 ranked Gaylord team wasted no time with their welcome.
GHS jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first inning, eventually wrapping up a 12-0, mercy-shortened victory after just five innings.
Junior Kennedy Wangler led an all-around offensive attack, going 2-for-2 with a double, three runs batted in and three runs scored. Junior Aubrey Jones picked up yet another win in the circle, allowing one hit and striking out four batters in two innings of work.
Two more homers for Jones in weekend sweep
Rain on Saturday changed the scheduled doubleheader with Hartland into just one single game, meaning the Blue Devils and Eagles had to make the most of each opportunity in a battle between reigning state champions.
Junior Aubrey Jones took that to heart.
Jones had two hits on the day, both long, towering home runs that brought in three total runs and helped Gaylord finish off a 10-0 victory over the reigning D1 champions, this time in just six innings.
It wasn't her first multi-home run game of the year, or even of the week; Jones homered twice on Wednesday, May 8 in Gaylord's 10-2 win over Traverse City Central and Dayton-signee Camryn Craig.
Jayden Jones and Kennedy Wangler had three hits apiece as well, while Jayden got the win in the circle after allowing three hits and striking out seven in 5.1 innings of work.
Gaylord is now 19-3 this season with a 6-3 record against teams in the top ten or honorable mentions of the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association rankings for their respective divisions.
En route to another state title?
After completing last season with the school's first-ever softball state championship, many people's minds immediately jumped to this current season and wondered if Gaylord would have a chance to repeat in 2024.
They are seemingly well on their way to defending their crown.
After some early hiccups adjusting to life without Alexis Kozlowski and Avery Parker, the Gaylord lineup has found its stride in recent weeks, going 5-1 in the month of May while playing almost exclusively against top-ranked opponents. While some in D2 will certainly be waiting to give Gaylord their best shot come late May and early June, the Blue Devils seem to be in a league of their own this year, too.
Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: In a league of their own; Gaylord softball outscores Richmond, Hartland 22-0 in weekend games
