Broncbusters win first game of 2021

By Mike Pilosof

Lamar, CO-It took three games, but Garden City finally broke through, even if their first-year coach had to sweat a little.

Tara Reid collected two hits including the go-ahead RBI single in the seventh, Nya Chacon homered and knocked in two, and the Broncbusters edged the Lopes 6-4 in game two Tuesday afternoon at Citizens' Field. The win improved the road team to 1-3 on the season.

And just like the opener, Garden City was ready from the start.

Following a McKayla Encinias lead-off single in the first, Chacon blasted the first pitch she saw off of Hope Quinones, parking it over the wall in center for a 2-0 lead. But that didn't stick, and in the bottom half, Broncbuster starter, Lacey Kearsley gave up a single and a double before Sheridan Wayne, who notched the win in the circle in the opener, smashed a three-run go-ahead homer to right to put the Lopes up, 3-2.

The score stayed that way until the fourth, when the Broncbusters took the lead back following Kearsley's run-scoring double, and Erykah Foster's RBI single. But the Lopes immediately notched the score in the bottom half when Mason Togher homered to center.  

In the fifth, Garden City blew a chance to take the lead after putting two on with one out. But McKenzie Moore was thrown out at home on Foster's two hopper to third. After going in order in the sixth, the Broncbusters finally pushed ahead for good in the seventh. With two outs and a runner on, Reid singled in the infield, bringing Chacon around to make it 5-4. Two batters later, Reid scored on a passed ball, giving the Broncbusters a two-run cushion.

And that's all Reid needed in the bottom half, working a 1-2-3 seventh to give Amy Schmeckpeper her first career win in Garden City.

Reid notched the win in the circle, holding the Lopes scoreless over four innings while scattering five hits and striking out two. Foster finished 3-for-4 at the plate, and Kearsley and Reid each added two hits.

Next up: Garden City vs. Lamar-Thursday, Feb. 25-1 pm and 3 pm at Tangeman Sports Complex