Broncos baseball preps for postseason

Non-league games are all that’s left on the schedule for the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos baseball team before the district tournament, which included three games last week.

The Broncos hosted the Lakeside Eagles for a doubleheader on April 24. For LRS head coach Jason Hilzer, the non-league games this week was a good opportunity to get some innings in for pitchers who haven’t pitched much this season, as well as give a rest to some of the pitchers who’ve thrown the bulk of the innings this season.

Sophomore Drew Kelly got the start in the first game, and was followed by freshman Owen Telecky, juniors Brenden Bell and Cole Cameron, and sophomore Josh McClure. The Broncos lost the first game, 6-11, with Drew Kelly and junior Spencer Miller ripping doubles for the home team.

Game No. 2, believe it or not, ended in a tie for the Broncos and Eagles. The game was called after six innings due to darkness, tied at 7 apiece. Drew Kelly, McClure and Telecky all pitched again for LRS in the second game.

In the final home game of the season, the Broncos faced off against the Lake Roosevelt Raiders, winning 6-3. Senior Bryce Kelly got the start in his final home game for LRS, and fellow senior Bryce Hansen relieved him in the fourth inning. Junior Garrett Frederick came on in the seventh inning and closed out the game, earning the save.

Miller smacked another double in this game, and Hilzer said he’s been pleased at how the bats have come alive for his squad as the season moves along. Before the season began, his biggest question mark about the team was how well they’d be able to hit the ball and score enough runs.

For Hilzer, letting the two Bryces toe the rubber in their final home games—even though it was an inconsequential non-league game—was a nice way of honoring their contributions to the program for the last four years.

The Broncos had one final regular season doubleheader, a non-league tilt on the road against the St. George’s Dragons on April 30. LRS finished the regular season 3-5 in league play, finishing third in the NE 2B South.

This weekend, the Broncos will take on the Northwest Christian Crusaders on the road in one game in the district tournament as they look to extend their season. Both teams, Hilzer noted, will throw their best pitchers in the game, as they don’t have to worry about the second game like they would for a doubleheader. A loss would end the Broncos’ season.