Fastpitch gains first win in four outings

Cusick and Tekoa-Oakesdale/Rosalia gave the Lady Broncos all they could handle last week during the opening doubleheaders of the fastpitch season.

Going in the team was faced with being down to one pitcher after a starter opted to leave the team. Jana Mattox would carry the load from the pitcher’s mound, working all four games. Head coach Paul McAnally said he’s working with another member of the team to become a relief pitcher for Mattox during the rest of the season.

On Thursday, March 21, the Lady Broncos hosted TOR and lost both games, 18-6 in five innings and 11-6 in three and a half innings.

In the first game, Mattox recorded one strikeout, seven walks and allowed 17 hits. The Lady Broncos scored six runs on 13 walks and two hits. The team, scored five runs in the first inning on seven walks and one hit batter.

Brittany Dew and Jordan Schultz each had singles.

In the second game Mattox recorded three walks and gave up eight hits. The Lady Broncos walked six times and had six hits to gain six runs.

“We settled down after the first game and hit the ball better,” McAnally said.

Soraida Chavez smacked a double. Sara Aldrich, Kim Gimmaka, Mattox and Schultz each had singles. Dew walked twice.

Saturday while hosting Cusick the Lady Broncos lost the first game, 9-2. Mattox had one walk and allowed 12 hits.

The Lady Broncos walked three times and had three hits to generate two runs. Mattox, Chavez and Aldrich each recorded singles.

In the second game the Lady Broncos found their first win of the season with a 12-6 effort over Cusick.

Mattox had one strikeout, one walk and gave up nine hits.

The Lady Broncos walked nine times and had five hits to take the win. Schultz belted a double and Gimmaka and Chavez each had two singles. The team scored eight times on passed balls.

Defensively, McAnally had praise for Aldrich.

“She had an outstanding game at third,” he said. “She made a lot of plays for us at third and showed some toughness out there.”

McAnally hopes to have Schultz up to speed soon as a back up pitcher while Mattox will continue to carry the load.

“Jana battled hard,” he said. “We need her everyday.”

McAnally said the team goal is to improve daily and he sees that happening already.

“I really like our team. I like our team a lot,” he said. “I like how we are improving every game. I like our level headed play.”