Broncbusters earn split with Seward

By Mike Pilosof

Photo by Adam Shrimplin

Liberal, KS-Lacey Kearsley was rolling in Thursday's finale. 

The sophomore kept Seward County at bay, striking out four while scattering five hits as Garden City downed the Saints, 3-1 at French Family Park. The Broncbusters improved to 17-25 overall and 10-12 in conference, snapping a four-game skid in the process. 

Trailing 1-0 in the third, the Broncbusters got the offense going. Tara Reid singled, Kayden Rodgers doubled her home, Alexis Maestretti added a sacrifice fly, and Lacey Kearsley ripped an RBI double to center for a 3-1 advantage.

That's all the offense Amy Schmeckpeper's team needed. 

After surrendering an RBI groundout in the first, Kearsley responded quickly. She struck out the final two batters to end the opening frame, worked a 1-2-3 second; then maneuvered around a pair of singles in the third to strikeout Gabrielle Sanchez to retire the side. After yielding a leadoff base hit in the fifth, Kearsley set down three straight Saints to preserve a two-run edge. But her best work came in the seventh. With the winning run at the plate, the sophomore induced a force play, then got Sanchez to fly out to end the game.

Kearsley improved to 3-6 on the season, throwing just 63 pitches in a five-inning gem. Alexis Garcia pitched the final two frames, allowing just one hit.

Ellie Stember took the loss for the Saints, giving up three runs on four hits in three innings.