Broncos end season

By Sandy Anderberg

The Bronco baseball team had an early exit from post-season play Saturday in a 2-6 loss to Seymour in Childress. 

The 9-9 Broncos were disappointed in the loss, but stayed focused and fought hard throughout the season to make an appearance in the playoffs. Electra is the only team out of the Broncos’ district to remain in the playoffs. According to coach Brad Elam, the Broncos got behind early in the match up with Panthers after spotting them five runs in the first two innings. 

“We got behind, but were able to claw ourselves back in to the game in the fourth,” Elam said.  “We made a couple of mistakes in the first two innings that cost us, but we settled down after that.” 

Adam Topper pitched the entire game and did all he could do to help the Broncos on defense. “Adam pitched another great game going the distance,” Elam said.  “He was able to hold them to one run the last four innings to keep us in the game.” 

The Broncos put up two runs in the fourth and were looking for a comeback, but were stifled once again by the Seymour defense.

“Offensively, we weren’t able to do much,” Elam said.  “In the fourth, we did strike for two when Dillon Nickell singled, followed by a Caleb Mitchell single and Trevor Cobb tripled both (runners) in to cut the lead, but we were unable to mount a threat after that.”

The Broncos will lose only three seniors and will be back next season to battle once again.

“I am really proud of the way the kids battled in this game and the second half of district,” Elam said. 

Seniors Caleb Mitchell, Gage Nelson, and Jerami Johnson will be missed by next year’s team.

Also, to add to their determination and perseverance, the Broncos recently showed their adoration for a fellow baseball player.  Austin Chontos, who is a junior varsity player from Randall High School, was seriously injured in a game with Caprock on April 14 when a pitch struck him in the head causing his brain to swell.

Austin is not personally known to any of the Bronco players, but their heart-felt sincerity kicked in and they were able to raise money to give to Austin’s family to help offset the mounting doctor bills in his treatment and recovery. Austin is still recovering after two surgeries and has a long road ahead of him, but his prognosis is good according to the Amarillo Globe-News.

No, the Broncos will not make an appearance at the state championship game this season, but with their unselfish act of kindness, they are truly state champions.