Lady Broncos win four of six before District playoffs
Last updated 5/10/2018 at Noon
The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Lady Broncos fastpitch softball team went 4-2 in the last week of the regular season.
The Lady Broncos began their six-game streak on May 1 with a sweep over Reardan in a Northeast 2B League South doubleheader, winning 22-3 and 16-4.
In game one against Reardan, LRS scored seven runs in the first inning en route to winning 22-3 in six innings. Head Coach Todd O’Brien said the Lady Indians’ pitcher struggled with controlling her pitches, giving up 15 free bases to LRS.
O’Brien added the Lady Broncos stayed patient at the plate and hit the ball well. The team also played solid defense throughout the game.
At the plate, Alarah Pierce-Pulliam was 3-for-3 while Tessa O’Brien was 2-for-3 and Mercedes Miller was 2-for-2.
In game two, Reardan’s pitcher continued to struggle, walking 18 Lady Bronco batters. Meanwhile, LRS continued to stay patient at the plate, O’Brien added.
Alisha Baker led the Lady Broncos at the plate, going 3-for-4.
Hailey Ayers earned the pitching win in game one, while Cailey Vallone-Boettcher picked up the victory in game two.
LRS continued their winning streak on May 3 after sweeping Wilbur-Creston in a nonconference doubleheader, winning 17-12 and 18-2.
In game one against the Lady Wildcats, LRS struggled offensively as the Lady Wildcats scored 12 runs in the first two innings.
The Lady Broncos’ comeback began in the third inning as Baker and Pierce-Pulliam both hit two-run singles to prevent the shutout.
In the sixth inning, LRS scored nine runs, including Vallone-Boettcher’s single, which brought in the run to give the Lady Broncos a 12-11 lead. The Lady Broncos added five insurance runs in the bottom of the inning.
Tessa O’Brien was 4-for-5 and Laurel Hayes was 3-for-4 with a double. Emily Rosen was 3-for-4 and Emma Aldrich finished at 3-for-5 with a two-RBI triple.
O’Brien said he was pleased with how the Lady Broncos remained poised and came back from a 12-run deficit early in the game.
LRS continued their momentum in game two against Wilbur-Creston, scoring three runs in the first inning on their way to the win.
At the plate, Mercedes Miller was 3-for-3 and Tessa O’Brien was 3-for-4. Lacey Miller was 2-for-3 while Baker was 2-for-4.
O’Brien was pleased with how well LRS’ defense performed in game two.
Vallone-Boettcher earned the win on the mound in game one after she took over for Ayers in the second inning. Aldrich picked up the pitching win in game two.
On May 5, the Lady Broncos’ winning streak was snapped after they went 0-2 in a nonconference doubleheader against Northwest Christian; 15-0 and 11-0.
In game one of the NWC doubleheader, the Lady Crusaders scored nine runs in the first inning and added six more in the second to defeat LRS in three innings.
O’Brien knew the Lady Crusaders would be a challenge for LRS as they are the No. 1 team in NE 2B League. He said he was pleased with how LRS managed to add a couple of hits against NWC’s bullpen.
He noted the Lady Broncos’ defense committed errors early in the game.
In game two, NWC scored eight runs in the first two innings en route to the 11-0 win.
Ayers took the pitching loss in game one and Vallone-Boettcher took the loss in game two.
O’Brien said Vallone-Boettcher pitched well against the Lady Crusaders. He added the coaching staff is going to work with Vallone-Boettcher on refining her pitching before Districts.
The Lady Broncos competed in the first round of the playoffs on May 8 with a game against the NWC at Colbert.
O’Brien said he believes LRS can compete with NWC, but they will need to play better defense and put the ball in play.
He added the team will also work on improving their hitting speed during practice.
Regardless of the outcome against the Lady Crusaders, LRS continue District play on May 15 at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex in Spokane.
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