RICHLAND, MI (WTVB) – Fresh off an appearance in the 2025 MHSAA Quarterfinals and with the entire team returning, the Coldwater Cardinal softball team wanted to make a statement in their season opener. Mission accomplished, as they swept a twinbill at Gull Lake, 16-0 in three innings and 19-1 in four innings.
Cardinal ace Laynie VanAken threw a no-hitter in the first game with no walks and 7 strikeouts. Offensively, Mya Porter went 2-for-3 with a single, a double, and 2 runs batted in, while Audi and Addy Bucklin each went 2-for-2 and drove in two runs.
The nightcap saw Audi Bucklin allow one run on 3 hits with 2 walks and 8 strikeouts in three innings of work, with Mackenzie Searing throwing a scoreless fourth. Laynie VanAken was 3-for-4 with a triple and two runs batted in, Mya Porter went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs, Rylie VanAken was 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs, and Vandria Bucklin went 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs as Coldwater pounded out 12 hits.
Coldwater will take a 2-0 record into their Interstate 8 opener Thursday at home against Marshall. Coverage on WTVB will join the doubleheader in progress Thursday afternoon at 5:20 p.m.
MENDON, MI – Bronson improved to 3-0 by spoiling the season debut of the defending Division 4 champion Mendon Hornets. The Vikings prevailed 15-3 in 6 innings thanks to a 17-hit attack.
WInning pitcher Ashlynn Harris allowed 3 earned runs on 2 hits with 7 strikeouts in 5 innings, while Maddie Ratkowski struck out the side in the sixth. Lydia Wells had the biggest bat for Bronson, going 4-for-5 with a single, two doubles, a home run, and 3 runs batted in. Harris and Madison Shaw had 3 hits apiece, Roni Bir was 2-for-3 including a double and drove in 3 runs, and Braelynn Gimenez added a single, a double, and an RBI.
Coach Becky Gray said after the game, “We hit very well tonight. It was great to see our girls attacking up to the plate. Ashlynn and Maddie both do their job on the mound and the defense played behind them. We will need to continue to work as this weekend we will be playing some very talented teams.”
The Vikings will take part in the Merry Jo Tavernier Memorial Tournament Saturday at Three Rivers.
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