Ropes ends Broncos’ playoff run

By Sandy Anderberg

The Clarendon Broncos had a great season and played hard in the playoffs but exited early with two losses to Ropes in Plainview last week finishing with an 18-3-2 record.

The first game of the best of three series was a hard-fought battle by both teams, and the pitchers were able to manage the game strategically. Ropes won 1-0. Bronco senior Harrison Howard was at the helm in the first game and threw for five and a third innings. In his time on the mound Howard allowed four hits and one run. He posted nine strikeouts. Fellow senior Easton Frausto took over the duties for the final innings and faced six batters striking out two.

Both teams struggled to get anything going until the third when Ropes earned their first run of the game. The Broncos only recorded two hits in the game. Levi Gates hit a single and Howard knocked down a double. The final four innings produced no runs for either team and the Eagles went one game up over the Broncos.

The second game ended in seven innings with Ropes taking the win at 5-0. Jared Musick was on the mound for the Broncos just under six innings and allowed four hits, five runs, and had two strikes as he went the distance and posted five Bronco strikeouts.

The Eagles got things going in the opening inning when a batter was hit by a pitch with all three bases loaded to score one run. The Broncos were not able to get anything going the first inning. Musick was able to go three up, three down in the second and third innings, but Ropes came to home plate determined to put runs on the board in the fourth. With two outs on the board, Musick walked two batters before a hit brought one Eagle home. A couple of errors in the field allowed Ropes to get two more runs before the inning was over. They were able to score their final run in the sixth inning. The Broncos were able to put runners on the bases, but a double play ended their chance at extending their post-season play.

The Bronco seniors will be missed next year as they all have played an important role in their four years in high school. Congratulations to seniors Easton Frausto, Jared Musick, Levi Gates, Waite Dushay, and Harrison Howard.