Lady Broncos make history

By Sandy Anderberg

Two committed coaches, eight dedicated seniors, several underclassmen, and a throng of devoted Bronco Nation fans equal ‘history in the making’ for the Clarendon Lady Bronco softball team. Their endurance and tenacity have put them in the State Semi-final game with Riesel this week.

Coming off a three-game series win over Floydada, the Lady Broncos are hungry and looking to devour the Lady Indians with the first game starting in Abilene as the Enterprise went to press Tuesday evening, May 20. Game two, and game three if needed, will be on Thursday, May 22. Follow Facebook.com/TheEnterprise for game updates.

The Lady Broncos were able to get the win over Floydada last week in three games, which was the first time in the 2025 playoffs it took three of the best two out of three series. After being down by one in the opening game, the Lady Broncos dug deep in their arsenal and earned three runs late in the game to win 4-3 over the Lady Winds in Canyon.

Senior stand-out Kennadie Cummins was on the mound and did what she has done all season long. She, along with a solid group of players behind her, was able to hold Floydada scoreless for the last four innings to get the win. It took Cummins 134 pitches against 37 batters in the two-run win with 98 of them being strikes. Cummins allowed five hits, two runs, two walks, and struck-out two in the nine innings.

Offensively, the Lady Broncos had their bats going racking up seven singles and three doubles in the game. Senior Hayden Elam smashed a triple along with a single for on RBI and one run. K. Cummins racked up a single and a double with one run and Cambree Smith was good for a double. Riley Jantz, Maloree Wann, and Shelby Christopher all had solid hits.

The Lady Broncos struggled to get anything going in the second game and lost 2-11. The Lady Winds were doing everything they needed to do to stay in the hunt and used a huge second inning to get the nine-run win. Elliot Frausto blasted a one run home run in the fourth inning to center field and grabbed the lone stolen base.

Tandie Cummins was on the mound and gave up 14 hits for their 11 runs. Cummins faced 41 batters and struck out six. Each team committed seven errors in the field.

With the series tied at one each, the Lady Broncos came out in the third with a solid game plan. From T. Cummins’ double to left field that scored Elam in the first inning to the duo repeating it for the last score of the game, the ladies executed to perfection offensively to put runs on the board.

Their defensive stand began at the mound with K. Cummins and then spread to a well-disciplined infield and alert outfield. The Lady Broncos, with strong determination, stopped everything the Lady Winds tried. Cummins was able to strike out six batters allowing only one Floydada hit and one walk.

The magic happening at home plate was no surprise as the Lady Bronco bats have been spot on all season long. They were able to slam five singles, six doubles, and one massive Elam homerun in the win. The entire lineup swung the bat well and posed a threat every time. Elam, T. and K. Cummins, and Jantz all blasted doubles and Frausto earned a stolen base.

Behind every good team is a dedicated coach and head coach Brad Elam has been that guy for four of his 22 years with Clarendon. He knows the athleticism and mindset of this team and recognizes how tough the girls are. “What a great series,” Elam said. “(I am) so proud of these girls and how they fought. Down one with two outs and no one on in game one and we were able to tie it.” Despite the fact that the second game did not go as planned, Elam never lost confidence in his team. “(We) had a bad game two, but the girls were able to bounce back and dominate game three,” he said. “They never doubted, just really tough girls; really happy for them and the town.”

The Lady Broncos will put it all on the line once again this week. We know them, their game, and their ‘never quit’ attitude. There is more history to be made and this Lady Bronco team is the team to do just that.