Lady Broncos sweep Reardan

The Lady Broncos sent Reardan home Tuesday with a pair of Northeast 2B League loses and a clear message. The message? The Lady Broncos are building a successful fastpitch program and league opponents should expect them to play with heart and determination.

The opening game ended with a 7-6 win that came with plenty of drama in the final inning. After six innings, LRS held a 5-3 lead. In the top of the seventh, Reardan put three runs on the scoreboard to take a 6-5 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, Raeann Hoeft collected a lead-off walk. Emma Aldrich followed and cracked a line drive shot at the second baseman. The hard hit ball was turned into a double play. The home team found itself facing a tough situation in the bottom of the inning with two outs and no one on base.

Head coach Paul McAnally witnessed his team’s determination.

Jana Mattox hit a single to ignite a rally.

“It was a huge hit for us,” McAnally said.

Kim Gimmaka followed with a hit that moved Mattox to third base. Mattox crossed home plate on a passed ball to tie the game at 6-6. Meanwhile, Gimmaka moved over to third.

Sara Aldrich, battling at the plate, hit a slow roller to the pitcher. When Reardan’s pitcher came up for the throw to first, the toss was a bit low and bounced past the first baseman allowing Gimmaka to score.

“We needed to put the ball in play and make something happen,” McAnally said. “It showed the girls have a never quit attitude. It really showed some heart to pull out a win with two outs and nobody on. It was a huge, huge win for us.”

Emma Aldrich got the win as pitcher with four strikeouts and just one walk in seven innings.

At the plate, the Lady Broncos had big hits from Mattox and Gimmaka. Mattox went 2 for 4 with a triple. Gimmaka finished with two hits, including a double.

The Lady Broncos recorded seven runs on seven hits in the win.

During the second game of the doubleheader, LRS picked up a win, 6-4 on five hits.

Emma Aldrich had a huge outing as pitcher and as a batter. She pitched her second complete game of the day and belted two in-the-park home runs.

Aldrich recorded three strikeouts and didn’t allow a walk in the win.

“Emma had a huge game. Those were two huge hits. They were legit and so fast,” McAnally said.

Sara Aldrich belted a triple in the game. Alicia Baker had a base hit and scored twice. Mattox and Gimmaka each had base hits.

Defensively during the two games, Mattox had 11 outs, including recording the final out of the second game.

“I’m really proud of our girls today,” McAnally said. “They showed a lot of heart in both games. They gave up the lead in the first game and made a couple of mistakes but didn’t put their heads down. And then the top of our lineup got it done in the bottom of the seventh for a win.”

The Lady Broncos will travel to Northwest Christian next week.