Broncos pull off win against West Texas

By Sandy Anderberg

With a huge 12-2 win over West Texas, the Broncos are headed to post-season play on Thursday of this week.

The game will be played at home on McClelland Field against Hale Center beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Coach Brad Elam knew his team had to win to participate in post-season play and felt they came into the game with WT focused to do just that.

“A win would put us in the playoff and the kids came focused and ended the game after five,” Elam said. “We had a 5-2 lead after the top of the fourth and had a big inning to break the game open. Bryce Hatley had a big game reaching base all four times including a big triple and Caleb Cobb had two hits and drove in two runs.”

Elam went on to say that Brandon Miller reached base all four times, had two rbi, scored two runs and stole two bases. Zack LaRoe had two runs scored and Keandre Cortez had a big two-out hit driving in two runs.

“Chance McAnear pitched another great game to pick up the win striking out nine,” Elam said.

On the Friday before, the Broncos suffered a disappointing loss to Follett on the road at 2-6. Elam said he played younger kids and they did not have enough hits despite playing fairly well.

“I was pleased by their effort and we had chances to win, but just didn’t hit enough,” Elam said. “We struck out too many times.”

However, Elam thought there was a positive in the loss.

“On the positive side, Chance Lockhart pitched a good game once he got warmed up striking out eight,” he said.

“Mikeal LaRoe made several plays at third base and on offense, after a Lockhart walk, Clay Koetting doubled him in in the first inning. McAnear scored in the third inning.”

The Broncos slammed Shamrock 15-6 last week, giving them a better look at post-season play.

According to Elam, the Broncos played five really good innings.

“We played a pretty good game until we made some mistakes in the sixth inning that cost us and allowed them to get back in the game,” Elam said.

“We jumped out in the lead with five in the first three innings sparked by Brandon Miller and Clay Koetting who reached base in the second and third innings, scoring four runs. We were able to score eight in the seventh to really pull away.”

Miller ended up with two hits, reached base four times, stole three bases and scored three runs. According to Elam, Chance McAnear also had a big day at the plate getting two hits and scoring three runs. Koetting had a monster day batting reaching base all five times, driving in two runs, and scoring four times.

“McAnear pitched a good game going five and two thirds innings,” Elam said. “Caleb Cobb came in and closed the game out.”