![Broncbusters drop opener in Lamar](/sports/mbkb/2020-21/GCCC_vs_Northeastern_Junior_College_0044.jpg)
Broncbusters drop opener in Lamar
By Mike Pilosof
Lamar, CO-It's been a weird start to the season for the Broncbuster softball team. They've had more games canceled in two weeks than they did all of last year. They've had starts and stops because of COVID and contact tracing. They've had practice time cut short because of protocols. So, in essence, even though they lost Monday's games to Northeastern in lopsided fashion, at least they were on the field.
Then on Tuesday, even in spite of them dropping their first game to Lamar, Garden City showed progress, something first-year coach, Amy Schmeckpeper has been stressing all along.
Garden City dominated the first two innings, but it all came crashing down when the Lopes plated eight runs in the fifth, Sheridan Wayne and Mason Togher each went yard, and Lamar edged the Broncbusters 8-6 at Citizens' Field.
The Broncbusters got things started right away in the first. Nya Chacon singled home McKayla Encinias, and Carly Powley tripled to right to make it 2-0. An inning later, the brown and gold were back it. Alena Jaramillo smoked an RBI single, Encinias ripped a triple to the gap, and Garden City led 5-0.
The problem? After the early fireworks, the Broncbusters managed just three base runners over the next four innings, all the while Lamar came storming back in a forgetful fifth.
The first four batters reached base before Naya Youtsey smashed a two-run triple. That was followed by Risa Segura's three-bagger that brought one around and Sheridan Wayne's monstrous home run that gave Lamar an 8-5 advantage.
The Broncbusters had their chance in the top of the seventh. Encinias led off with a single to center; then stole second before coming across on Chacon's RBI ground out. But the rally didn't go any further than that thanks to Wayne, who struck out Elycia Johnson with a rise ball to end the game.
Tara Reid took the loss for Garden City in the circle, allowing seven runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. Lacey Kearsley tossed 1 1/3 innings of relief, surrendering one run on two hits.
Wayne notched the win for the Lopes, giving up five earned runs over seven innings while fanning four.