SYRACUSE — The sunny skies and breezy weather provided a great setting for the Wawasee Softball Invitational. The Warriors welcomed in Rochester, Whitko and South Bend Clay for the annual event. Rochester emerged as champion after scoring wins over Clay and Whitko, respectively.

Becky Malchow trots home after her home run in the championship game against Whitko. (Photos by Nick Goralczyk)

Rochester started its day with an 11-3 win over the Colonials then downed Three Rivers Conference foe Whitko 12-6 in the title tilt. The Zebras fell behind 2-0 early to Whitko but battled back to grab a 4-2 lead. A three-run homer from Kennedy Krull put the Wildcats back on top, 5-4, in the top of the third.

A four-run fifth inning put the Zebras back on top 8-5, thanks, in part, to a pair of RBIs from Alexis Elliott. In the bottom of the sixth, Rochester opened up the game even further. Becky Malchow and Kennedy Musselman each had two-run homers to give the Zebras a 12-5 advantage.

Andrea Snavely knocked in Kennedy Krull in the top of the seventh to give Whitko slim hope but the rally would fall short.

Musselman finished the game with three RBIs while Malchow, Elliott and Alexa Holland each had a pair. Krull led Whitko with three RBIs.

Whitko was shorthanded on the day as it lost several of its key players to various conflicting school functions. But the absence of those players gave head coach Michelle Garr a chance to see some of her other athletes get quality playing time.

“What I was really happy to see is that everyone played well,” said Garr. “Especially considering that so many girls were playing out of position.

“It’s good knowing that we have some girls that we can trust to play if we have an injury or anything like that. I’m very proud of this team today.”

Whitko downed Wawasee 14-7 in its first game. Wawasee, also facing issues with players having conflicting school commitments, struggled with finding consistency in the circle. Whitko jumped to a 6-1 lead and eventually would hold a 14-3 advantage. A late rally from Wawasee would not be enough.

Anna Ousley, Tori Silveus, and Emalee Duggins all had a pair of RBIs for Whitko. Ellie Snep pitched a complete game for the Wildcats, surrendering eight hits and four earned runs. Wawasee was led by Cristina DeLaFuente’s two RBIs. Amber Lemberg also hit her first home run of the season for the Green and Gold.

Wawasee’s second game was against Clay, the game became a coming out party for Kayla White in the team’s 7-1 win. The junior played third base and was impressive at the hot corner with several nice plays. She also scored the team’s first three runs. The only person that rivaled White’s performance was Madie Wilson.

Wilson, the team’s usual starter at third, decided to try her luck at pitching as Wawasee was faced an injury to their starter and the team’s only depth was used up in the Whitko game.

“She came up and said she wanted to give it a shot,” Wawasee coach Jared Knipper said. “She volunteered to pitch and I knew she hadn’t done it since probably seventh grade. But she was able to come in, throw strikes for us and picked up the win.

“With a few players out of town and some sitting with injuries, we were able to get a look at some of our younger players today and that was good.”

Wawasee (9-3) will host Northridge Monday. Whitko (6-2) will travel to Tippecanoe Valley.