Wawasee’s Brianna Haessig sends a shot to Lakeland in the doubles match in the season opener Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Mike Deak)

Girls Tennis

Wawasee began its 2017 campaign on the tennis courts at home Tuesday hosting Lakeland. Doubles play lifted Wawasee to a 4-1 win over the Lakers.

Both of the Wawasee doubles courts won in straight sets, led by a 6-0, 6-3 win at No. 1 from Kabrea Rostochak and Kendra Doerr over Summer Poe and Beth Stroop. At No. 2, Courtney Larson and Brianna Haessig took care of Vivi Guman and Ally Lleva 6-2, 6-1.

At No. 2 singles, Wawasee’s Elizabeth Kleopfer came through with a two and two win against Cheyenne Bechtel and at No. 1 singles, Peyton Rookstool won a marathon match to close out the day, going 6-3, 5-7, 10-7 against Beka Stroop.

Lakeland’s Brittany Linn came up with the lone visiting win, 7-5, 6-1, against Kaitlin Graber.

Lakeland took all five of the JV matches.

“Great first win of the season, especially since we were shorthanded with ineligible players,” said Wawasee head coach Shane Staley.

Wawasee (1-0) will host Central Noble Thursday before taking off for Spring Break.

Baseball

The Wawasee diamond debut happened Tuesday afternoon at Bethany Christian, the Warriors crushing the Bruins 23-2.

Wawasee pounded out 23 hits and had at least one from 10 different players.

Jamie Slabaugh led the way by going 4-4 with a walk, two doubles, four runs scored and four RBIs. Rylan Kuhn, Jake Crousore, Jeremiah Bess and Jairus Boyer all had three hits, Boyer adding a triple and two RBIs, Crousore finishing with three RBIs. Bess and Kuhn also scored four times.

Wawasee (1-0) gave up just two hits in the game and both Bethany runs came in the fourth inning. Jacob Garcia got the win, tossing three innings of shutout ball, walking one and striking out five.

The Warriors will visit Wabash Wednesday afternoon.