Dateline: May 26, 2005

Lady Broncos fall to former state champs

By Sandy Anderberg

After battling hard and fighting to stay alive, the Lady Broncos succumbed to Windthorst in the Regional Semifinals in Vernon May 19. 

The game ended at a 5-14 loss for the Lady Bronco and allowed their opponent to advance to the next round. Coach Gary Jack praised his team for their determination to stay in the game. 

“This was the best team we have seen all season,” Jack said.  “Their pitcher was really good; but after we settled down, we were able to hit off her.” 

The Lady Broncos were down by eight runs by the third inning but closed the gap in the fifth as they scored their first four runs. 

“Sarah (Depew) slammed a true triple that went down the foul line to the fence,” Jack said.  “We were able to score our first two runs off Sarah’s hit.  That seemed to get us going.”  

The Lady Broncos went on to score another run in the sixth inning, but it just wasn’t enough to overtake the 2004 1A state champs. 

“We battled hard,” Jack said.  “Windthorst is just a very solid team, and we allowed them several unearned runs.  We made too many mistakes against them.  We just needed to make the routine plays defensively that we had been making all year. 

“They had several games previously where teams had not been able to score on them, and we were able to.”

Despite the loss, Jack was pleased with the season. 

“It’s been a great ride, and I am very proud of the girls.  I hate to see it end.  When you look at where we started and where we ended, it was just a great year for the girls.”

The Lady Broncos ended at 16-5 for the year.  It was by far the best record in their short five-year history.  Good things are happening in the CHS softball program, and they are expecting that run to continue next year.