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Holcomb Halts Broncos Resurgent Season in Regional Semifinals

2023 Russell-Victoria Broncos Baseball Team
2023 Russell-Victoria Broncos Baseball Team

GOODLAND-The Russell-Victoria baseball team had their magical season come to an end on Tuesday, May 16, losing to Holcomb 9-2 in the semifinals of the Goodland 3A Regional at Centennial Park.

Holcomb (15-4) touched up starting and losing pitcher Jackson Cross for three first inning runs, aided by three hits and an error.

Russell-Victoria fought back to close the gap to 3-2 in the bottom of the third on RBI singles by Thaddeus Wohler and Mason Rohr.  Walker Middleton then pinch ran for Rohr but was thrown out trying to steal second base to end the rally which seemed on track to yield more runs.

Things unraveled for the Broncos in the top of the fifth.  After two were out with the bases empty, the Longhorns erupted for four runs on two hits and four consecutive walks, two of them with the bases loaded to extend their advantage to 7-2.  Two more runs crossed the plate in the sixth inning on a single and an error.

Holcomb pitcher Keegan Johnson worked six and a third innings to pick up the victory, scattering five hits and two walks while striking out seven.

The Longhorns advanced to the championship game to face Goodland which defeated Scott City 4-2 in Tuesday's second semifinal, marking the second consecutive year that Holcomb and Goodland squared off with a trip to the State Tournament on the line.  The Cowboys claimed the title 5-4 on a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning to clinch their second straight trip to the State Tournament.

Russell-Victoria ends their best season in 15 years with a 20-2 record in their first campaign under head coach Christien Ozores.  Tuesday's game was the last in a Bronco uniform for six seniors including Cross, Wohler, Charlie Krug, Wyatt Middleton, Cameron Farmer and Jarron Schmidt.

Goodland 3A Regional Bracket