Captains storm to division lead with sweep in twin bill

Waterford Kettering has crashed the party in what was to be a season-long showdown between Huron Valley Lakeland and Walled Lake Northern for the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division title.

The Captains swept a doubleheader against the Knights on the road on Wednesday, May 11 to take over first-place in the KLAA North, with only a doubleheader against Lakeland remaining for Kettering.

Kettering took the opener from Northern, 8-2, before winning the nightcap, 10-6.

The Captains (9-8 overall, 7-1 in the KLAA North) lead Lakeland (25-5, 6-2) and Northern (14-6, 6-2) by a game in the KLAA North and will host Lakeland today, Wednesday, May 18 for a twin bill that will help decide the division race.

Meanwhile, Northern will play a doubleheader at Walled Lake Central today, Wednesday, May 18, in its final division games of the season.

MacKenzie Norton picked up both wins in the pitcher’s circle for Kettering against the Knights last Wednesday, including holding Northern to just three hits in the first game.

“(Kettering Head Coach) Al Land had his team ready to play and I did not,” said Northern Head Coach Mark Grattan. “We just had a lot of distractions that day in school and out, and we weren’t focused at all. It was my fault, and I will try and not let the girls down again.”

Kristina Weltzin had 12 strikeouts in the first game for Northern, while and Corrina Rotondo had nine strikeouts in the second game.

Kari Knight also hit a home run for Northern in the second game.

Northern was able to rebound the next day, Thursday, May 12 in a doubleheader at Walled Lake Western, sweeping the Warriors with an 8-2 win in the opener and an 8-1 win in the nightcap.

Weltzin allowed only five hits and recorded five strikeouts, while Knight had three hits for Northern.

In the second game, Rotondo allowed 6 hits and struck out 6 batters. Sam Kern and Mackensy Lakian each had a pair hits.

“The girls were determined to get over the Kettering losses and come out swinging their bats, and they did,” Grattan said. “The girls wanted these wins bad.”

The Knights will also host Farmington, Farmington Hills Mercy and Wayne Memorial on Saturday, May 21.