Bronchos softball tied for first in conference

The Bronchos softball team split both series over the weekend between Central Missouri and Washburn as they eclipsed 40 wins on the season. 

The Bronchos dropped the first game to Central Missouri after allowing three runs in the 3rd inning. Despite Terin Ritz’s throwing eight strikeouts, the bats could not get going after the second inning and were held scoreless in five straight innings, losing game one 3-2. They struck back in the fifth inning of game two, thanks in part to a Rylee Anglen grand slam as the Bronchos got their revenge in a 6-1 victory. 

Against Washburn, despite giving up four doubles. Terin Ritz got her 14th win on the season, striking out seven. Emily Deramus and Kennedy Clark hit singles to secure the win as the Bronchos won 3-2 and it looked like the ‘Chos were on their way to win game two after scoring six runs in the first and leading by 7-2 in the third, but Washburn poured on the runs, scoring eight in the next three innings, dropping the second game 10-7. 

The Bronchos currently sit at 41-8 overall and 18-4 in the MIAA. With the 2-2 weekend and Pittsburg State sweeping their series this weekend, Central and Pitt State are tied for first in the MIAA regular season standings. Both teams have two games left. UCO travels to Wichita on Friday to face Newman, who sits at 7-41 overall and 2-20 in the MIAA, which is dead last in the conference. Meanwhile, Pittsburg State will travel to Joplin on Saturday for a doubleheader against Missouri Southern, who is tied for 3rd in the conference and has a 34-16 record overall and 14-8 in conference. It is also worth noting that the Bronchos swept the Gorillas in their doubleheader back in early March. The MIAA Softball Tournament is April 30th through May 4th in Hays, Kansas.