Sports

By Sandy Anderberg

The Bronco varsity baseball team had a stellar week last week as they defeated Gruver and Shamrock in District games.

The Broncos sent the Greyhounds packing at 9-1 on the road in seven innings.

“(We) started out really slow scoring only one run in the first five innings,” coach Brad Elam said. “Chance McAnear was able to keep them shutout until we got the bats rolling and we busted it open in the sixth scoring five and added three more in the seventh.”

Elam went on to note that the bottom four in the lineup scored seven of the runs. Brandon Miller scored three, Chance Lockhart scored two and Izzy Osburn and Nick Shadle score one each. The defense made plays, but the story was offense, according to Elam.

“McAnear pitched five good innings and Caleb Cobb finished it off,” he said.

The pitchers struck out twelve batters.

On Saturday, the Broncos hosted the Shamrock Irish and they were able to get a huge 16-1 win.

“We finally started to hit (and) all nine batting positions scored,” Elam said.

Cobb accounted for three runs, Bryce Hatley, JoJo Cartwright, Zack LaRoe, Osburn, and Miller scored two runs each with Cobb, Cartwright, and Lockhart adding doubles.

“Our defense played well and the pitching of Cobb and Cartwright held them to two hits and one run,” Elam said.

The Broncos will travel to West Texas High on Friday, April 4, and play at 4:30 p.m and host Booker Tuesday, April 8, at 4:00 p.m.

By Sandy Anderberg

Several Lady Broncos brought home first place finishes in the track meet held in Quanah March 22.

Sarah Luttrell claimed first in the long jump with a leap of 15’3″, first in the 100-meter dash at 12.96, and first in the 200-meter dash with a time of 27.03. Abby Johnson captured the 400-meter with a time of 1:03.26, and Berkeley Alexander won the shot put with a throw of 27’6″. Other results: long jump: Amelia Weatherton 2nd 14’8″, Taylor Gaines 4th; discus: Karlee Adams 5th 65’8″; shot: Adams participated; 100-meter: Weatherton 6th 13.56; 200-meter: Johnson 2nd 27.79; 400-meter: MaRae Hall 4th 1:11.00, Myra Castillo 5th 1:13.09; 1600-meter run: Sarah Williams 3rd, Alysse Simpson and Kelsey McAnear participated.

The Broncos competed in the meet at Quanah as well. Caleb Cobb claimed a first place in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:22.18, took fifth in the 200 at 24.90, and was fifth in the 400 with a time of 1:01.02. Montana Hysinger was fourth in the discus with a throw of 111’7″ and fifth in the shot put at 36’5″.

The junior varsity Broncos also competed and finished third in the 400-meter relay. The members of the relay are Wyatt Papa, Clint Franks, Riley Shadle, and Keandre Cortez.

Individual results: 100-meter: Cortez 1st 11.92, Papa 2nd 12.27, Franks 4th 12.50; 200-meter: Franks 2nd 25.40, Papa 6th 27.96; 400-meter: Ethan Ballard 3rd 1:05.43, Chance Lockhart 4th 1:06.40, Nick Shadle 5th 1:08.02; 800-meter: Lockhart 1st 1:34.65; 300-meter hurdles: R. Shadle 2nd 48.88; 110-meter hurdles: R. Shadle 3rd 19.65; triple jump: R. Shadle 6th 31’10½”; shot put: Marshal Johnson 1st 37’7″; discus: Johnson 1st 106’8″, Taylon Knorpp 106’6″; pole vault: Franks 1st 9’0″, N. Shadle 2nd 8’6″. Unreported results from Claude track meet earlier in the year. Marshal Johnson 1st shot put 30’11″. We apologize for accidentally omitting Johnson’s win.

The Broncos and Lady Broncos will compete in Wellington March 28.

By Sandy Anderberg

The Bronco baseball team struggled against Booker last Tuesday on the road and was defeated 5-15. According to coach Brad Elam, the Broncos did not play that well against the Kiowas.

“We were able to hand with them until the fourth inning when we gave up seven runs,” he said. “On defense, with the wind blowing out 50, it was hard to catch fly balls for both teams.” Elam noted that the Broncos gave them some runs by not making plays.

“Offensively, we didn’t hit the ball like I think we are capable of,” Elam said. “Chance McAnear did reach base three times and scored two runs. The pitching of Zack LaRoe and McAnear was good at times striking out 10. (And) Chance Lockhart turned a double play.”

Things turned around for the Broncos on Friday at home when they topped Claude 7-4. Elam claimed the Bronco defense hurt them early as they made errors that allowed the Mustangs to score.

“Not much hitting going on, but we were able to get the runs when we needed them scoring five in the sixth inning to take the lead,” Elam said.

There were only four hits in the game by the Broncos. Elam praised Caleb Cobb for his outstanding pitching and striking out eight and walking none for six innings. McAnear pitched the last inning to pick up the save.

“It was a big win for us,” Elam said.

The Broncos will continue their district schedule at home on Saturday, March 29, against Shamrock beginning at 1:00 p.m. They will host Follett Tuesday, April 1, at 4:00 p.m.

By Sandy Anderberg

The Lady Broncos earned a huge 22-3 win over San Jacinto at home last Tuesday.

According to head coach Gary Jack, everyone played pretty good and Brooke Martin, Sterling King and Taylor DeGrate pitched well. Also, everyone hit the ball well. They are 7-2 overall.

The Lady Broncos then went up against a good Claude team in a district game and came up short at 12-15.

“We fell behind 0-4 in the first inning, then 2-9 in the fourth inning,” Jack said. “We battled back to tie it up at 9-9 to start the seventh inning. They scored six runs in their half and we scored three to finish the game.”

Jack felt the ladies played okay but had too many routine errors to win.

“We will have to do a better job the next time we face them,” Jack said.

Jack said Audra Thomas, Skyler White, Haley Ferguson, Taylor Gaines, Briley Chadwick, and Savannah Topper all hit the ball well and on the defensive side Ferguson played very well at catcher, but errors in the field hurt them. Camra Smith pitched all but the first inning and kept the Lady Broncos in the game, according to Jack.

The ladies will host McLean on Saturday, March 29, at 1:00 p.m. and play Follett at home on Tuesday, April 1, at 4:00 p.m.

By Fred Gray

The Clarendon College Lady Bulldogs softball team travelled to lovely Las Vegas, New Mexico, for a four game set against the Luna Community College Roughriders this past Friday and Saturday, March 21 and March 22.

After winning the first game 7-2, the Lady Bulldogs proceeded to get outscored by 26 runs over the next three games. They lost the next three games by scores of 8-13, 3-16, and 10-18.

After the first game, the Lady Bulldogs’ pitching was just not where it needed to be. Additionally, the Clarendon College bats went quiet or were inconsistent. Hits just weren’t as timely as they have been in the past.

Sometimes, getting run support when the pitching is struggling is a matter of a few well-timed hits. This past weekend, the Lady Bulldogs struggled in critical situations.

The Lady Bulldogs are now 7-22 for the season, and 1-7 in conference play.

They return home for four games against El Paso College on the March 28 and 29. The first pitch is at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on each day.

By Sandy Anderberg

The Clarendon Bronco baseball team pulled off two great games against Quanah over spring break. The Broncos’ eighth inning, first win was posted in the first half of double-header as they took a 4-3 win over the Indians at home on Friday.

According to coach Brad Elam, a big third inning was crucial in their win.

“We made a few mistakes early, but settled down,” Elam said. “Our pitchers threw well. Chance McAnear started and pitched three good innings. Bryce Hatley came on to finish the game and closed it out.”

The Bronco defense stepped up and made some big plays in the win. But the third inning was big.

“Taylon Knorpp got things started after one out with a single followed by a double by Israel Osburn,” Elam said.

“Clay Koetting walked to load the bases and Hatley singled in two runs. Caleb Cobb walk was followed by a McAnear triple to score the last two (runs). We were able to get the last out of the game with the tying run on third.”

The Broncos defeated Quanah 6-5 in game two of the double-header with Cobb on the mound.

“It was an exciting game for the fans,” Elam said. “We got behind but were able to claw our way back and win it in extra innings. Defensively, we struggled early, but made plays when we needed to.”

Osburn was able to pick off two Quanah runners trying to steal bases and Elam knew that hurt their opponent.

“Offensively, we were not able to get much going until late in the game,” Elam said. “We scored one in the first, but were not able to score again until the fifth. Our big inning came in the sixth when we scored three to take a 5-4 lead.”

Elam said Osburn singled followed by a Brandon Miller bunt single. McAnear then followed with another bunt single to load the bases and all three runners were able to score. The Indians then added a run in the seventh to tie and extra innings were needed.

“In the eighth inning, Cobb reached base on an error,” Elam said. “JoJo Cartwright doubled to right center to bring runners to second and third with no one out. Koetting followed with a bloop single to dive in Cobb to win the game.”

On March 13, the Broncos lost 1-11 at Hale Center. According to Elam, the Broncos had a bad game.

“We were really disappointed in the way we played,” Elam said. “We didn’t hit the ball or make plays when we needed to. I thought Zack LaRoe and Chance Lockhart pitched well. Nick Shadle knocked in the only run when he singled in Charles Mason. Mason had walked and stolen second.”

The Broncos play Claude at home on Friday, March 21, at 4:00 p.m.

They will travel to Gruver on Tuesday, March 25, and play at 4:30 p.m.

By Sandy Anderberg

The Lady Broncos have started their season out right and have racked up a 6-1 overall record. They are currently 2-0 in District play.

According to head coach Gary Jack, the Lady Broncos had big district wins over West Texas High at 14-8 and a big 29-8 romp over Booker. Jack has been pleased with his team’s play and noted that the Lady Broncos are hitting the ball well.

The team posted three wins over spring break. The varsity defeated Quanah 23-2 and the younger girls played in the second game earning a 14-13 win. The Lady Broncos played in the Annual Alumni game and nabbed a wild win according to Jack at 27-21. This was the ninth year to play the Alumni game.

Jack also said he appreciated Randy Bond for the portable toilets he put at the softball field.

The Lady Broncos will host Claude in a big district game this Friday, March 21, at 4:00 p.m.

By Fred Gray

The Lady Bulldogs of Clarendon College ended a nine-game losing streak when they won a two-game set against Garden City Community College, last Monday, March 10. They won the first game 13 to 6, and won the second game 11 to 3.

They then split two games with McCook Community College (Neb.), winning the first game 9-1, before dropping the second 4-12, on Tuesday, March 11.

The Lady Bulldogs closed out this home stand by dropping two games against Western Nebraska Community College, 1-9 and 4-7, on Friday, March 14.

The Lady Bulldogs are 6 – 19 on the season, and 0 -4 in conference play.

They return for their last home stand on March 28, for a four game set against El Paso Community College, on March 28 and March 29.

By Fred Gray

This year’s Lady Bulldogs have attitude – and teeth! These ladies play hard, are well-coached, and don’t know the meaning of quit. In short, they are an absolute delight to watch. Every young lady in Donley County and the surrounding area would profit from watching these girls play.

Consider their most recent home stand against Garden City College, from Garden City, Kansas. The Lady Bulldogs played so well that even the Wizard of Oz himself would have been of no help to the Lady Busters.

During the first game of the double-header, the Garden City side made 13 errors, virtually assuring the Lady Bulldogs of victory, winning 13 to 6. The Lady Bulldogs spotted the Lady Broncobusters a three run advantage in the top of the first inning, then stormed back and put an 11 to 3 whipping on the side from Kansas.

Aided by a towering two-run home run by Whitney Lane, in the bottom of the 6th inning, the Lady Bulldogs scored three runs in the 6th to win in game by the 8 run rule. The final score was 11 to 3.

Gabby Gloria, from Lubbock Estacado High School, came on in relief during the first inning of the second game and pitched a sterling shut-out, allowing the Lady Bulldogs the time needed to regain the lead.

CC scored 11 runs on 12 hits, and had 1 error. Garden City scored 3 runs on 8 hits, with 5 errors.

The next home stand, against Rose State (Oklahoma) on Friday, March 14, at 1 and 3 p.m.

By Sandy Anderberg

The Broncos looked unbeatable in the first three innings against Wellington, but let a fourth inning breakdown allow the Skyrockets back into the game last week.

“We jumped out early and often and looked like world-beaters only to collapse in the fourth inning,” head coach Brad Elam said. “We opened a 13-0 lead after three innings with timely and clutch hitting. We were able to add three more in the 6th and 7th that ended up to be very important runs.”

Elam added that Wellington had a big nine-run third inning and scored three more in the seventh to give us a scare.

Elam felt the pitching was not up to par for the Broncos.

“(Our) pitching was very disappointing as we walked or hit 13 (hitters),” Elam said. “We can’t do that and be successful. We made some good plays on defense. Bryce Hatley made two very good plays at catcher, (but) we also had some crucial errors also.”

Elam knows the Broncos need to clean some areas up, but there were bright spots in the win.

“I was pleased with our offense,” Elam said. “We added nine walks and had 13 hits including doubles by Caleb Cobb, Jonathan Cartwright, and Zack LaRoe. Chance McAnear scored three runs, Hatley scored four runs and Cobb scored three runs. Cobb and LaRoe had three RBI each.”

The Broncos will play Kress at home March 15 at 1:00 p.m. and host Chilicothe on Monday, March 17, at 4:00 p.m.