Lady Broncos enter District Tournament ranked fifth in league

The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague fastpitch softball team finished their regular season 9-9 and in fifth place. They will be playing in the first round of the District Tournament on May 10 in Springdale.

The team will face either Tekoa-Rosalia or Wilbur in a loser out contest. To prepare for Districts, Head Coach Todd O’Brien is focusing on honing the teams pitching skills and making good choices on the base path.

The Lady Broncos played in two doubleheaders last week and were able to win two of the games. Their first was against Springdale on Saturday, April 30, where they were unable to secure a win.

In the first game the Lady Broncos fell 2-13 after five innings. Emma Aldrich pitched with Lacey Miller behind the plate. The team began strong with runs in the first and third inning but 11 runs were given up in the third and the Lady Broncos were not able to overcome the deficit.

Aldrich gave up 10 hits and walked eight runners. Defensively the Lady Broncos only earned two errors in this first game.

Emily Rosen and Alarah Pierce-Pulliam each had a double and Jessa Hoeft was 2-for-2 behind the plate.

In the second game the Lady Broncos were able to score more runs but were still unable to stop Mary Walker offensively and lost the game 5-13.

Pierce-Pulliam pitched for the first inning and was relieved by Hoeft who finished the game. In the first inning Mary Walker earned seven runs. The Lady Broncos were able to get four runs back in the second but the momentum did not continue past this inning.

Defensively the team performed well again only earning one error. Tessa O’Brien played shortstop and ended the day with five put outs and five assists to help her team.

Hoeft was 1-for-1 with two walks and Emily Kinney hit a double.

The Lady Broncos then traveled to Liberty for their last league doubleheader of the season on Monday, May 2 where they swept the Lady Lancers.

The first four innings of the first game held 11 hits for the Lady Broncos including 16 walks. Coach O’Brien was happy to see the team showing patience at the plate while waiting for good pitches. The Lady Broncos went on to win the game 26-1.

Aldrich pitched a four strikeout and three walk game with Miller backing her up behind the plate.

Rosen went 2-for-4 with a triple, Aldrich was 3-for-3 and Miller had a double.

In the second game the Lady Broncos again hit the ball well with 15 hits in three innings coupled with 15 walks. Aldrich again pitched this game with five strikeouts and giving up just two walks.

Laurel Hayes went 4-for-4 with a double, Kinney went 2-for-2 with a double and a triple and O’Brien was 3-for-2 with two walks.

The Lady Broncos now look toward the District Tournament, which will begin for them on Tuesday, May 10. If they are able to beat their opponent they will move onto day two the next Tuesday in Spokane at the Merkel Fields.