Broncos Split With Larned

Game 1: Russell-Victoria 5, Larned 1
Game 2: Larned 7, Russell-Victoria 5

The Russell-Victoria Broncos Baseball team hosted Larned for a doubleheader in damp and chilly conditions on Tuesday afternoon at the Shaffer Sports Complex.

The Broncos bounced back from last Friday's doubleheader sweep by TMP-Marian with a 5-1 victory in Game 1 but Larned took the nightcap, 7-5 holding off a furious rally by Russell-Victoria in its final at bat.

In the opener, Max Evans pitched a complete game, scattering five hits without allowing a walk and recorded eight strikeouts, bringing his career total to 153.  The Broncos scored all five of their runs in the bottom of the second inning and Jarod Ford led all Bronco batters with two hits.

Sixth-ranked (Class 3A) Russell-Victoria took a 1-0 lead in the nightcap on a first inning error but was denied more runs when Evans was tagged out at the plate after a sign was missed on a bunt attempt.  Larned pitcher Tristan Regan then held the Broncos in check while the Indians tied the game with a run in the top of the fourth and plated two more runs in the top of the fifth for a 3-1 lead.

Larned then scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to seize a 7-1 advantage but Russell-Victoria refused to go quietly, scoring four runs in the bottom of the frame on consecutive doubles by Sam Thielen, Evans and Ford.  However, Regan retired the next three batters in succession to end the rally and give the Indians the split decision.  Thielen took the loss in relief for the Broncos.

Russell-Victoria (18-4) now leads Beloit by one game in the race for the top seed in Class 3A Regional 4.  The Broncos will finish the regular season on Thursday, May 7 at home against Sacred Heart while the Trojans will face Clay Center.

Thursday's doubleheader will begin at 4 p.m. at the Shaffer Sports Complex and the Senior Day ceremony will be held in between games.

The games will also be broadcast live on KRSL 95.9 FM, online at KRSL.com and streamed on Alexa devices.