By Sandy Anderberg
The Clarendon Broncos are having a stellar season. They were able to claim a district championship with only one loss in their district schedule and because of that championship they received a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
After a two-week layoff period, the Broncos were eager to get on with post-season play. Last Friday, they traveled to Plainview to take on a good Tahoka team in the Area round at Wayland Baptist University. The Broncos bested their opponent in two out of three games, which catapulted them to the Regional quarterfinals the end of this week.
The Broncos won the first game of the series in an extra inning, when Nick Shadle hit a monster single with runners on second and third to win the game in the bottom of the eighth. Senior Zack LaRoe threw a no-hitter in the Broncos’ 1-0 win over the Bulldogs. He also struck out nine batters and walked only two. On the plate, Kade Hunsaker got a hit on each of his four times at bat and the Broncos as a whole hit the ball well according to head coach Brad Elam.
“We did get a lot of hits, but couldn’t drive in any runs until the eighth when Nick Shadle came through driving in Clay Koetting for the walk off win.”
Elam was also proud of LaRoe’s effort on mound.
“Zack threw a heck of a game,” he said. “Don’t see no-hitters much, especially in the playoffs and an extra inning game.”
The win prompted a game two for the Broncos and they were defeated 4-6. The Broncos led early, but failed to hold that lead when the Bulldogs took advantage of a wild pitch to get the lead.
“We didn’t play as well on defense and had some costly mistakes,” Elam said. “We had one big inning but failed again to drive in runs.”
A third game was needed to see who would advance and the Broncos, once again, showed their strength with their bats. Junior Bryce Hatley handled the pressure and got a good hit to left field to score Josh Cobb for the walk-off win at 5-4. Hatley was four for four from the plate with a single in the first, fourth, fifth, and seventh innings. His seventh inning scored Josh Cobb. In the fourth Senior Charles Mason slammed an RBI single that added to three other runs in the inning and helped to boost Clarendon.
“What a game,” Elam said. “Back and forth. We took a 4-2 lead, but were not able to hang on in the seventh. A few too many walks allowed them to tie the game, but with one out, Josh Cobb doubled off the top of wall and Bryce Hatley hit a dribble between shortstop and third base that squirted through and Cobb was able to score the playoff winning run. Very proud of the way the kids battled and played. Very exciting series with two walk off wins and a no hitter.”
The Broncos will play Plemons-Stinnett-Phillips at Amarillo High School this Thursday, May 21, at 5 p.m. and again on Saturday, May 23, at 1 p.m.
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