Bronco Baseball Splits Regular Season Finale with Knights

Game 1: Sacred Heart 4, Russell-Victoria 3
Game 2: Russell-Victoria 4, Sacred Heart 3

The Russell-Victoria Bronco Baseball team journeyed to Salina on Thursday for a regular season-ending doubleheader with Sacred Heart. Each team won a game by identical 4-3 scores.

In the opener, Sam Thielen (3-2) took the loss, allowing seven hits and four runs in five innings of work.  With the game tied 2-2, the Knights broked the deadlock with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.  The Broncos responded with a single tally in the top of the sixth but could draw no closer.  Mason Rohr collected two of Russell-Victoria's four hits in the contest, including a double while Thielen added a triple.

In the nightcap, the Broncos bolted out to a 4-0 lead after two and a half innings and then hung on for the one-run victory.  Max Evans (4-1) picked up the win, striking out five Knights in five and one third innings of work. Jaxon Ross notched the save after Sacred Heart scored a run in the bottom of the seventh.

Thielen led the Bronco offense with three hits while Wyatt Griffin, Pieerce Schoenberger and Jarod Ford each collected two hits.

Russell-Victoria (15-11) now awaits the release of brackets for the Class 3A Colby Regional which should take place on Saturday, May 10.  The Broncos will be on the road for their first game on Friday, May 16 at a top-four seed. The tournament's remaining games including the championship will be contested in Colby the week of May 19.