Broncos’ big fifth inning sends them to the winner’s circle

By Sandy Anderberg

The Bronco baseball team took on Memphis last week and earned a two-point win at 12-10 in seven innings. The team connected on 12 hits in the game after a slow-hitting first inning.

With freshman Brentley Gaines on the mound, the Cyclones did not score until the third inning. However, their big inning came in the fifth when they scored seven runs with Gaines still on the mound. Coach Aaron Smith put Hayden Moore on the mound to begin the sixth and Braylon Rice in the seventh to stop the Cyclones at the plate. They were able to put two more runs on the board before the Broncos got another chance on offense.

The seventh inning turned out to be golden for the Broncos as they were able to take advantage of the last at-bat. The opposing pitcher gave away three base-on-balls to load the bases before Parker Hanes hit a sacrifice fly to begin the winning rally. Moore and Kreed Robinson added doubles to secure the Bronco win.

Overall, the Broncos had 12 hits, six walks, and eight strike-outs. Robinson had six hits and a stolen base and Gaines knocked down five hits and two stolen bases. Shaun Childers added three hits and one stolen base, while Hanes, Moore, Aiden Burnam, and Hudson Howard each earned a hit.

Later in the week, the Broncos met up against the Floydada Whirlwinds and failed to put runs on the board losing 4-18. Robinson slammed a triple and Rice added a double, but the Broncos could only get one run home in the first and another two runs in the third. Floydada held a 6-3 advantage after three innings with Rice on the mound. Hanes came into the game as relief in the fourth.

Robinson hit a triple and two more hits, and Rice had a double and two singles. Klay Wilkins got his bat going in the fifth with a double to the outfield, and Gaines had a single and a stolen base.

The Broncos will play Quanah at home on Friday, at 4:00 p.m. to finish their regular season play.