By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Not only did the Buchanan varsity softball team take control of the Lakeland Conference with a sweep against Coloma Friday evening, but head coach Mike Welsh also picked up his 400th career win.
Welsh, who currently holds a 400-195 record, is in his 17th year of coaching the Bucks varsity softball team
When asked how it felt to get his 400th win, “It just means I've been coaching a long time,” Welsh said with a laugh. “It's great. The girls all signed a softball for me, which was awesome. It was a big night for us.”
Entering Friday evening's game, the Comets held the No. 1 spot with a 6-0 record in the conference. Buchanan and Brandywine were recently in a first place tie with Coloma, but both the Bucks and Bobcats fell to second when they split a doubleheader last week. Coloma went on to defeat Edwardsburg to stay undefeated.
However, Buchanan bumped the Comets to third by giving them two conference losses, while improving their record to 7-1. Brandywine is in second with a 5-1 record.
In both games, Buchanan held Coloma scoreless, taking identical 7-0 wins.
Ashley Pointer took the win in the circle for Buchanan during both games, bringing her season record to 9-4 overall. Pointer had a total of 14 strikeouts on the night and allowed only one hit.
Coloma's Haley Gire suffered the loss for the Comets, throwing six strikeouts and allowing 15 hits.
In the first game, top hitters for Buchanan were Jayme O'Bryant with a triple, Maggie Ernsberger provided a double and a single and Holly Lucas had two singles.
In the nightcap, top hitters for the Bucks were O'Bryant with a double and Emily Ross with two singles. Lindsay Vawter was the lone hitter for Coloma with a double.
The Bucks, now 11-6 overall, will host Centreville today for a non-conference match up set to begin at 4:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, Buchanan will host Edwardsburg for a Lakeland Conference doubleheader set for 4 p.m.
Game one
Buchanan 102 110 2 - 7 9 1
Coloma 000 000 0 - 0 0 1
WP - Ashley Pointer (8-4) and Emily Ross
LP - Haley Gire and Lindsey Cade
2B: Maggie Ernsberger (B)
3B: Jayme O'Bryant (B)
Game two
Buchanan 020 010 4 - 7 6 0
Coloma - 000 000 0 - 0 1 6
WP - Ashley Pointer (9-4) and Emily Ross
LP - Haley Gire and Lindsey Cade
2B: Jayme O'Bryant (B), Lindsay Vawter (C)
Records: Buchanan 11-6 (7-1), Coloma 9-4 (6-2)