Broncos, Indians split doubleheader

After dismantling Reardan, 14-2, in the first league battle of the season on Tuesday, the LRS Broncos fell in the twilight game of the doubleheader, 5-2.

In the first game the Broncos had their way with Reardan, scoring four runs in the first inning, another in the second and nine more in the fourth. LRS took the first game in five innings.

Tyler Frederick picked up the pitching win, going the distance, fanning seven batters, walking two and giving up two hits.

“He was pretty efficient with his pitches and his off speed stuff was working,” Aldrich said. “He really had the curve ball working today.”

In the top of the fifth inning, Dylan Hartz sealed the win turning a double play.

In the first inning, Hartz lead off with a double. Cort Ruzicka followed with a double to score Hartz, while Frederick added a single. Damian Rouleau finished the scoring with a pop fly that Reardan mishandled, which allowed Frederick to score on the error.

In the second inning Connor O’Neill opened with a triple and came home when Ruzicka singled.

The fourth inning’s scoring bonanza started with O’Neill getting a single and stealing second. Ruzicka got on base with a walk. Collin Sheffels brought both base runners home when he belted a three-run homer.

Two walks were followed by a double from Matt Leffel and a two-run double by Bridger Smith. Hartz then delivered an RBI single. Frederick finished off the scoring assault with an RBI single of his own.

“We really lit them up that fourth inning,” Aldrich said. “The guys, up and down the lineup were doing their thing and being productive and having good at bats. It was fun to watch and easy to call.”

The second game was a rough experience as the Broncos were making contact and hitting the ball hard.

“We hit the ball hard right at people,” Aldrich said. “That got kind of frustrating for our guys. Their pitcher must have had half a dozen comebackers and he did a good job of fielding his position today. We hit a half dozen rocket shots that looked like they were going right between his legs.”

The Broncos struck out six times and didn’t collect a walk.

The Broncos got a run in the third off a double by Smith. In the fifth inning, Leffel banked a lead off homer.

Ruzicka pitched six and a third innings, striking out five and walking four. He was also called for two balls, including one that resulted in a run.

“We only allowed five hits. But, we gave up four stolen bases,” Aldrich said. “They were doing a good job stealing third.”

Sheffels pitched two thirds of an inning in relief.

The Broncos will host Colfax in a doubleheader on Friday.