Northern secures a share of division championship

Walled Lake Northern is a co-champion of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division for the second straight year, but, unlike last year, will be playing for more championships.

The Knights (19-7 overall, 8-2 in the KLAA North) swept a doubleheader against Walled Lake Central on the road on Wednesday, May 18 to claim a share of the KLAA North Division title with Huron Valley Lakeland.

Northern, by virtue of handing Lakeland its only division losses in a doubleheader sweep earlier this year, earned the right to take on KLAA West Division champion Hartland in the Lakes Conference title game on Monday, May 23, after press time.

The winner will face either Plymouth or Northville on the road in the KLAA Championship game today, Wednesday, May 25.

Lakeland and Northern tied for the division crown last year, with Lakeland winning the tiebreaker.

The Knights defeated Central with two shutouts last Wednesday, winning the opening game, 9-0, and the nightcap, 2-0.

In the first game, Kristina Weltzin allowed only 4 hits while striking out 10 batters. Sam Kern, Mackensy Lakian, Kari Knight and Weltzin all drove in 2 RBIs each.

In the second game, Corrina Rotondo allowed only 3 hits while striking out 15 batters. Megan Jerore had 4 hits and an RBI, and Erin Lee drove in the other run.

The Knights then hosted a 4-way event on Saturday, May 21 and lost to Farmington Hills Mercy, 5-1, before defeating Farmington, 7-0.

Lee and Lakian each had 3 hits on the day, while Knight, Weltzin and Stephanie Marzetti each had 2 hits against Farmington.

The Knights began the week with a 10-4 victory at Grand Blanc on Monday, May 16.

Knight went 4-for-4, hitting a home run, a double, and 2 singles as part of a 5-RBI afternoon.

Kern hit 3-for-3 and scored 3 runs, while Lakian hit 2-for-3 with an RBI and Caitlyn Kelley went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs.

Weltzin gave up 7 hits through 6 innings with 3 strikeouts, and Rotondo came on in relief and picked up the save.

Weltzin also hit an RBI for the Knights.

Northern will play in the South Lyon district when the state tournament begins on Tuesday, May 31.