Dateline: May 1, 2008

Broncos win first round playoff spot

By Sandy Anderberg, Clarendon Enterprise

The Broncos rallied in the last two innings Monday to come from four runs down to grab the win for the number one seeding in the playoffs in a game with Follett.

The win put the Broncos at 16-6 for the year and gave them a first round bye in the playoffs. 

“We are ready for the playoffs,” coach Brad Elam said.  “Our defense played really well, and we made plays when we needed to.  We turned a big double play defensively.”

According to Elam, Austin Howard pitched three good innings before being relieved by Johnny Gaines, who came in and pitched four solid innings.  After holding the four-run lead, Follett crumbled somewhat and the Broncos took over to dominate the game and the win.

Trevor Leeper reached base four times and had two stolen bases; Dalton Askew hit a double, reached base three times, scored two runs, and had two stolen bases; Austin Howard slammed a triple and added two runs; David Roberts had two hits and two RBIs; Derrick Shelton had an RBI single and scored one run; and Stephen Fowler had an RBI.

The Broncos earned a bye in the first round, which will begin this week.  The Broncos look to play Friday or Saturday, May 9-10, and will take on the winner of the Ralls/Electra game.  Times and location will be in next week’s edition of the Enterprise.

Earlier in the week the Broncos took on Caprock JV and defeated them 10-9. 

“We started out with the lead and held on at the end,” Elam said.  “Austin Howard started the game and pitched four good innings. Troy Chambless came on in the fifth and finished the game for the win.” 

Elam also noted that, offensively, the bottom of the lineup was very productive.  Derrick Shelton reached base three times, scored two runs and drove in two with a long triple; Stephen Fowler scored two runs; Brayden Philips had two hits and drove in two; and Trevor Leeper had three hits including an inside the park homerun.

The Broncos also played Bushland on Saturday and lost 1-19. 

“We did not show up to play against a very good team, and the score shows it,” Elam said.  “We made too many errors in the field and did not hit the ball well.  We ended up with only one hit, and Austin Howard run scoring double in the first inning. We really didn’t strike out that much, but we were unable to hit the ball hard.”

The Broncos will play a practice game on Friday, May 2, to prepare for the playoffs.