by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The Wellington girls’ softball team split its season opener, the Wellington boys baseball team prepare for Andale, and the boys’ tennis team opens today in Wellington.

Wellington girls defeat El Dorado, lose to Goddard

The Crusader girls finally got on the ball diamond. The season opener El Dorado triangular originally slated for last Thursday got played on Monday. Wellington would go 1-1 — defeating the El Dorado 17-5 before losing to Goddard 10-0. Both games ended in run-rule.

In the first game, the Crusaders were knotted in a 5-5 game after four innings before Wellington’s Ali Zeka hit a two-run single that opened the flood gates for the red and silver. Wellington scored nine runs in the top of the fifth and three runs in the sixth to win.

Wellington had 18 hits in the game, Heidi Gulick, Madison Baker, Shiney Hughes, Kate Haines, Sawyer Parkey and Zeka collected multiple hits. Gulick was 4-for-4 from the plate. Gulick and Parkey both had triples.

Gulick was also dominating in the pitcher’s circle. The right-hander surrendered five runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings, striking out six.

In game two, Wellington fell to Goddard 10-0. The Lions held Wellington to two hits. Rusk and Hughes both got hits to break up a Goddard no-hitter. On the other side, Goddard collected 13 hits on the day. The game was called after five innings. Madison Baker was the starting pitcher but was relieved in the third by Gulick.

Wellington travels to Andale on Thursday.

Wellington boys travel to Andale

The Crusaders will be heading to Andale Thursday searching for their first win after getting swept by Goddard. Last Thursday, Goddard defeated Wellington 11-0 and 9-0 in the season opener in a game that was switched to Goddard after Wellington’s fields were not ready due to the wet weather. Wellington was the home team playing at Goddard.

In the season opener, Goddard opened with a single and took advantage of an error to open a 4-0 lead. The Lions expanded the lead to seven in the top of the third and added four runs in the fifth to win 11-0.

The Crusaders started freshman Skylar Branum on the mound for the first three innings. He allowed six hits, seven runs, and two walks while striking out two. Korbin Jones came in relief in the fourth and fifth inning, allowing no hits, three walks while striking out one. Wellington did not have a hit in game one.

In game two,  Wellington was shut out again by Goddard but took the Lions the distance. The Crusaders had one hit when Rylan Biles singled on a line drive to center field on a 1-2 pitch. Wellington held Goddard scoreless until the top of the four when the Lions scored three runs on a double and fielder’s choice.

Then in the sixth Goddard slammed a triple, and two singles to open a 9-0 lead.

Biles was the starting pitcher. In four innings he allowed three hits and two walks while striking out five. Carson Nugen and Cope Henry both came in relief. Goddard had eight hits. Wellington committed six errors.

Schedule for rest of week

•Don’t forget, the Wellington boys tennis team is opening its season this afternoon at 3 p.m. at Sellers Park against Augusta, Goddard Eisenhower and El Dorado.

•Thursday will be a busy sports day for WHS as the varsity tennis team travels to Pratt, the junior varsity tennis team goes to Circle, as well as the baseball and softball teams travel to Andale.

•The track and field team opens its season when it travels to Clearwater.

•The varsity boys golf team opens its defense of the state championship when it travels to Crestview Country Club next Monday.

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