Lady Broncos softball bound for State Tournament

After a hard fought battle in the District Tournament, the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Lady Broncos softball team has qualified for the 2B State Tournament in Yakima on May 25-26.

The Lady Broncos opened the Northeast 2B League District Tournament on May 8 with a 7-2 loss to Northwest Christian.

After the Lady Broncos opened the game with a one-run lead, NWC responded with three runs in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead.

The Lady Crusaders added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings, while LRS would score their final run in the bottom of the sixth.

At the plate, Emma Aldrich was 2-for-3 with a double and a triple. Alarah Pierce-Pulliam was 2-for-3, while Lacey Miller and Laurel Hayes collected hits.

Head Coach Todd O’Brien described the contest as “a tight game,” between the two teams.

He said he was pleased with the Lady Broncos and how they hit the ball to put it in play.

NWC’s pitching staff struck out only three LRS batters in the seven innings.

O’Brien said LRS also played good defense throughout the game, with outfielders Aldrich and Hannah Brittain catching fly balls and the infield turning a key double play.

Even though the Lady Broncos lost, O’Brien was impressed with how the team competed against the Lady Crusaders, who are undefeated at 21-0.

He noted the playoff game between LRS and NWC was one of only three games where the Lady Crusaders played all seven innings.

It was also the least runs scored by the NWC all year and the most hits the team allowed.

Cailey Vallone-Boettcher took the pitching loss after she threw a complete game.

O’Brien said the coaching staff is helping Vallone-Boettcher develop off-speed pitching and focusing on changing the velocity of her pitches.

He noted the playoff game boosted the Lady Broncos’ confidence and showed they have the potential to play competitively against any team in the league.

“This was the best game they played all year,” O’Brien added. “If there was a right time for us to peak, now is it.”

O’Brien said LRS will be working on defense and offense to prepare for Davenport, who they played on May 15 in the second round of the District Tournament.

He added the Lady Broncos will have an “all-for-naught” approach and focus on playing “one game at a time.”

On May 15, the Lady Broncos earned back-to-back wins against Davenport, 8-7, and Kettle Falls, 12-7, to qualify for the State Tournament.

In the third-fourth seeding game, LRS lost to Liberty, 15-5 in five innings.

A berth in the State Tournament was not the only bright spot in the Lady Broncos’ day of competition. Tessa O’Brien and Lacey Miller were selected for the NE 2B South All Opponents Team.

Details of the District Tournament games against Davenport, Kettle Falls and Liberty will be included in the May 24 edition of the Ritzville Journal.