Broncos prep for second half of season

The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos were given a bye during last week and only played one doubleheader against the Tekoa-Rosalia Timberwolves on April 16.

The game began slowly with the score tied 1-1 heading into the top of the fifth inning. Easton Nelson was on the mound for the entire game and threw 94 pitches.

Nelson struck out eight batters, walked two, gave up just five hits and only allowed one earned run. Head Coach Jason Aldrich stated Nelson came up big in this outing and was quite efficient with his pitch count. Nelson went to a three-ball count to only six of the 30 batters he faced.

Aldrich also noted Assistant Coach Jason Hilzer made sure the players were positioned correctly, which helped in their defensive and offensive efforts.

The Broncos brought in five runners in the top of the fifth and Tekoa-Rosalia brought in four. The game ended with a 6-5 win for the Broncos. They had seven hits and just one error in this game.

Camden Smith and Cole Cameron each had one hit. Nelson and Matt Vercoe each had a double, Brandon McClure and Bryce Kelly earned two hits and Bryce Hansen had two hits with one double.

In the second game McClure started the game on the mound. Aldrich said McClure struggled with his command early in the game but was able to adjust and settle down after the first inning. He allowed only one earned run over the next four innings.

Hansen then relieved McClure in the sixth and Smith closed the game in the seventh. The Broncos had five hits and three errors in this game.

In the first game the Broncos were able to stifle the Timberwolves’ offense in the bottom of the seventh inning to keep their one run lead, they were unable to do this in the second game and allowed two runs to end the game 9-10 with Tekoa-Rosalia earning the win.

Aldrich is confident the next time the team is in this situation they will be able to close the game strong.

Chandler Widman had two hits with a double, Smith, McClure and Vercoe each had one hit and Nelson had three hits with one double and three RBIs.

On Saturday the team travels to Davenport to face the Gorillas at 2 p.m. The next game will be on April 26 versus Liberty at 2 p.m.