The Belmond-Klemme baseball team played its closest game of the season, but fell 7-5 to Garner Hayfield Ventura at Principal Park Monday, as aired on 104.9 KLMJ.
After falling behind 2-0 in the second inning, the Broncos responded to tie the game in the third. Jose Alfaro scampered home on a passed ball, followed by an RBI groundout by Maxwell Swisher on the next pitch. The Cardinal bats came alive in the fourth inning, where they scored four runs and took the lead for good. The Broncos created a response in the sixth inning, loading the bases for Braden Dougherty to drive in three runs on a double.
After Belmond-Klemme cut the deficit to one, the Cardinals added insurance with another run in the bottom of the sixth.
“The kids played wonderful today,” Yoder says. “It was just one bad inning. We were right in the game. We made them use over five pitchers. I’m super proud of our kids in their effort. They did a really good job and super proud of Coewhan Kelly. He’s been sick all week with the temperature of 102, 103 and came out and gave us three good innings today. This is the best game we’ve played all year, and I think we’re moving a step in the right direction.”
Davey Pressley got the start and pitched 4.1 innings with seven hits allowed, three strikeouts and a walk. Braden Dougherty had two doubles and three RBIs to lead offensively.
The Broncos will return to action Wednesday at North Union.
Cory Yoder:
