Broncos fall to WTH in Regional Quarterfinals

By Sandy Anderberg

The Broncos’ stellar post season was cut short last weekend as they fell in three games to number five ranked West Texas.

The first game was played Friday night at Amarillo High, and the Broncos were defeated 7-8 The Broncos led most of the game with Kade Hunsaker on the mound, but the Comanches rallied back in the sixth inning. Clarendon was up 7-1 until the fifth when WT put three runs on the board to cut into the big lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Broncos had their opponent just where they wanted them, with two outs. But bases were loaded, and the hitter found an opening in right field that scored all four runs.

On Saturday, the Broncos were ready to avenge their loss from the night before. After a back and forth game with six lead changes, the Broncos dug in deep to get the 9-8 win.

WT was on the board first and took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. But Clarendon got back in it and worked hard to get the win. In the bottom of the seventh, Josh Cobb and Nick Shadle got on base with singles. Hunsaker came up to bat and hit a deep ball to left center, which allowed Cobb and Shadle to put two on the board for the win. Cobb, Andy Davis, and Hunsaker all had multiple hits for the Broncos.

Game three was the deciding game for the series. The Broncos struggled to find their rhythm and were defeated 1-5 allowing WT to earn the Regional Quarterfinals trophy.

The Broncos’ lone run came in the second inning. WT put their final run on the board in the fifth, but Clarendon was not able to answer.

“I was really proud of how these kids fought every pitch of every game during the playoffs,” coach Brad Elam said. “We had five one-run games out of the last six. We came from behind to win three games and had a walk off double in game two against WT. I would have liked to still be playing, but I can’t say enough about how hard these kids played. They never gave up even when behind.

“We had many people say they have never seen anything like what we just went through. We definitely gave the fans their money’s worth. Everyone experienced all ranges of emotions and we will take with us many, many good memories.”

The Broncos finished their 2017 season 23-3-1.