SE Saline Pitching Shuts Down Lady Broncos
Game 1: Southeast of Saline 13, Russell-Victoria 0
Game 2: Southeast of Saline 13, Russell-Victoria 0
HAYS-The Russell-Victoria Softball team knew they would have their hands full with talented pitchers from Southeast of Saline heading into Friday's doubleheader. Last season, the Lady Broncos managed a split in Gypsum despite being no-hit in both games. Hits were hard to come by again in the latest showdown as the Lady Trojans rode their pitching and a combined 29 hits to a pair of 13-0 victories at the Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex.
The two games were originally supposed to be played at Memorial Park in Russell on Thursday, but soaking rains made it necessary for a move to the new turf fields that were installed earlier this spring at Bickle-Schmidt.
After a groundout to third to open Game 1, Southeast of Saline erupted for five runs in the top of the first inning off starting and losing pitcher Tionna Napue. The Lady Trojans added one tally in the second inning, four runs in the fourth and three more in the top of the fifth frame to wrap up the scoring.
Winning pitcher Bryna Baird was masterful in the pitcher's circle, allowing just one hit, an infield single to Harlee Donovan in the first inning while striking out nine Lady Broncos. The game ended after five innings due to the mercy rule. Brooklyn Nowak pitched the final four innings of Game 1 for Russell-Victoria.
Nowak got the start and took the loss in Game 2 while pitching a complete game. Southeast of Saline was led by three hits apiece from Carly Commerford and Maddie Harris and two-run homers by Chase Gilpin and Baird. Commerford pitched five innings and allowed just a single hit to Kayla Noller in the fourth inning while striking out eight including five in a row at one point from the first inning to the third inning. Lexi Jacobsen finished the game with a scoreless sixth inning when the game ended once again due to the 10-run rule.
Russell-Victoria (7-9) will hit the road on Monday, May 9 to play a doubleheader against Ellis. The games were first scheduled for April 22 but postponed due to high winds. The Lady Broncos will then close out the regular season at Memorial Park on Tuesday, May 10 with a twinbill against arch-rival TMP-Marian-La Crosse. The two teams were supposed open the season against one another on March 24 but the games were postponed to May after originally being rescheduled for March 25.
The contests with the Monarchs can be heard on KRSL 95.9 FM, Nex-Tech Cable Channel 19 and online at KRSL.com beginning with the pre-game show at 3:45 p.m. First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 4 p.m.