Dateline: May 15, 2008

Lady Broncos advance

By Sandy Anderberg, Clarendon Enterprise

The Lady Broncos outlasted and outplayed a good Quanah team to take two games in the Regional Quarterfinal game with the Lady Indians.

One run proved to be the difference in both of the games as Clarendon won the first game 7-6 and the second 5-4 before an electrified hometown crowd.

Senior Sade Cobb started from the mound in the first game, and freshman Danielle Ford took over late in the game.

“We fell behind 0-3 in the first two innings,” head coach Gary Jack said. “We hit the ball fairly well in those innings, but it went right to them.” 

The ladies came alive according to Jack in the fifth inning to go up 5-3 with good hits by Macy Shadle and Erin and Elissa Holland to put some runs on the board. 

“We battled back,” Jack said.  “We were able to capitalize on some of their errors, and we started hitting the ball better.”

The Lady Indians tied the game at 5-5 in the 7th inning, which made the Lady Broncos hustle to get the upper hand once again and go up by two. 

“Danielle walked the first three batters of the inning,” Jack said. “We were able to get two outs, but they also scored a run. They had runners on second and third, and Danielle was able to strike out the last batter, and that was the game.”

The Saturday game began differently for the ladies as they went ahead 3-0 early in the game with Ford on the mound. 

“We held them until the fifth,” Jack said. “And then the wheels fell off for us.  They scored four runs and took a one-run lead in the fifth inning.” 

Despite trailing, the Lady Broncos chipped away and were able to tie the game when Janae White hit a single to score Erin Holland.  They went on to get another run and win the game to take the series. 

“It was a great series against a much improved Quanah team,” Jack said.  “It was an unbelievable crowd.  There were people everywhere, and the girls were definitely excited. It was very special to be able to play a play off game at home.

“This is as far as the Lady Broncos have been in the play offs. At the end of the week, we’ll be playing in the Regional Semifinal game against Marfa. We are ready to move on.”

Clarendon will face Marfa in Midland at Ulmer Park this Friday at 7:00 p.m. The Saturday game starts at 10:00 a.m.