Lady Broncos beat Gruver

By Sandy Anderberg

The Lady Broncos took on Gruver at home on Saturday and recovered from an 0-8 start to run-rule the Lady Hounds 20-10.

“We allowed them to score eight runs to our seven in the first inning,” coach Carrie Hicks said. “Then, we jumped ahead in the second inning and increased the lead throughout the rest of the game.”

Hicks credited Kaylin Hicks, Ashlynn Newsome, Raynee Newsome with good defensive play and Madi Smith pitching well from the mound.

They were able to turn a double play after Hicks scooped it up and tossed to Newsome who got the out and threw it to Emily Johnson on first.

Offensively, the ladies connected well with the bat.

“We hit well when we could,” Hicks said. “Emily Johnson, Jade Benson, Sandrea Smith, and Raynee Newsome each had doubles and Jade, Emily, Kira, and Makayla (Brown) each got singles. We definitely needed this win to start off our second half of district.”

Earlier in the week, the ladies fell one run short to Sunray in a 23-24 loss.

“I was proud of the girls because they never gave up and they encouraged each other throughout the game,” Hicks said.

The Lady Broncos led until the fifth inning when Sunray tied it up at 16 all. They were able to retake the lead in the seventh, but could not answer the Lady Cats’ runs to put them on top.

“We hit the ball well and aggressively ran bases,” Hicks said. “We just struggled on defense a couple of innings.”

Hicks pointed out that A. Newsome, S. Smith, Brown, Benson, Johnson, Hicks, and R. Newsome had doubles and M. Smith, A. Newsome, S. Smith, Weatherton, and M. Smith all caught an out in the outfield. Hicks caught two in the infield and Newsome earned another out on a fly ball.

The Lady Broncos will play Memphis at home on Friday, April 12, at 4:00 p.m. and play West Texas High at home on the 16th at 4:30 p.m.