LRS Broncos baseball goes 4-3 during busy week of competition

The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos baseball team had a busy week of competition, playing seven games in a six-day span.

The Broncos began the week by sweeping Reardan in a rescheduled Northeast 2B South League doubleheader on April 9, winning 8-5 and 12-2.

LRS carried their momentum into the next day after they defeated Davenport in a nonleague doubleheader, 13-5 and 15-8.

The Broncos’ four-game winning streak was snapped on April 12, after a 10-0 nonleague loss to Odessa.

After the loss, LRS went 0-2 against Liberty in a league doubleheader on April 14, losing 8-1 and 15-5.

In the first game against Reardan, the Broncos came out swinging, leading 5-1 after the second inning. The Indians scored four runs in the third to tie the game 5-5.

The Broncos scored two runs in the fourth inning and an insurance run in the fifth to clinch the win.

Head Coach Jason Aldrich explained the team was “a bit rusty” after returning from spring break, but they managed to capture the win.

Leading LRS at the plate was Easton Nelson, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Camden Smith was 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI and Cole Cameron was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

In game two, LRS was leading 4-1 in the fifth inning when they went on an eight-run rally, including a 3-RBI double from Smith, en route to the 12-2 victory, which forced the 10-run mercy rule.

At the plate, Bryce Hansen was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, Nelson went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Spencer Miller was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Bryce Kelly was 1-for-4 with a triple and Eric Hayes was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Kelly earned the pitching win in game one, while Hansen earned the victory in game two after he threw five innings.

Aldrich said the team played a better game in the second contest, and in the process accomplished their goal of earning two league wins.

In game one against Davenport, the Broncos were down 1-0 when they scored four runs in the second inning to take the lead. The Gorillas added three runs in the next two innings to tie the game 4-4 in the fourth inning.

The Broncos scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth to once again the lead the game, then added three runs in the fifth inning and four more in the sixth.

Leading the Broncos at the plate was Kelly, who was 3-for-4 with two RBIs, a double and a triple. Brenden Bell was 2-for-4 with a three-run double.

Aldrich said the Broncos played a good game, both offensively and defensively against the Gorillas in the first game.

He added game two was another close contest between LRS and Davenport. The Broncos were down 8-7 in the fifth inning when they scored six runs to secure the lead.

Nelson went 2-for-4 with a three-run double while Kelly, Hansen and Hayes collected two hits each.

Aldrich said the Broncos’ defense became a “little sloppy” during the second game, but the team was able to execute their offense. He added Davenport’s pitching staff struggled during the contest, which allowed LRS to make contact with the ball.

Drew Kelly earned his first win on the mound in game one, while Bell captured his first pitching victory in game two.

Against Odessa, LRS was unable to mount any offense. After a 0-0 score in the first inning, the Tigers scored three runs in the second inning en route to a 10-0 lead in the fifth, which forced the 10-run mercy rule to end the game.

Cameron was the only Bronco who hit the ball, going 2-for-2 at the plate while Garrett Frederick took the pitching loss.

Aldrich said he tried moving the team’s infield rotation around, which resulted in the athletes playing out of their normal positions. Another issue was the pressure and fatigue players experienced after playing in five games in a six-day period.

The Broncos continued to struggle when they played the Lancers two days later.

Aldrich described game one of the Liberty doubleheader as a “pitcher’s duel,” with the score tied 0-0 for the first 10 innings. He was impressed with starting pitcher Frederick, who threw 104 pitches, giving up only two hits and one walk.

The Lancers went on an eight-run rally in the top of the 11th inning while LRS responded with only one run in the bottom of the 11th.

Aldrich explained the team had runners in scoring position, but were unable to bring them to home plate. The Broncos had three hits during the game, including Bryce Kelly’s double.

He added the team’s defense played well for most of the game, committing five errors including two in the 11th inning.

LRS continued to struggle in game two as the Lancers opened with a four-run lead in the first inning, then added eight more runs in the second inning.

The Broncos gained some momentum in the bottom of the second after they went on a five-run rally to bring the score 12-5.

Liberty added three runs in the fourth inning en route to ending the game after the fifth inning due to the mercy rule.

Smith and Bell each had a double while Miller was 1-for-2 with an RBI.

Bryce Kelly took the pitching loss in game one after he relieved Frederick in the eighth inning, and Hansen took the pitching loss in game two.

LRS, who is 4-4 in NE 2B South League play, traveled to Springdale on April 17 to play the Chargers in a nonleague doubleheader. They travel to Colfax on April 21 to play the first-place Bulldogs in a league doubleheader.

Aldrich noted the team’s mental and physical endurance is a bit lacking after a busy week. He will attempt to rest some of the pitchers and help the LRS athletes get stronger leading up to the Colfax games.

He added the Broncos are improving, but they need to be more consistent on offense and defense.