The SHHS Bronco Freshman baseball team lost a tough one to the Merryville Panther varsity in the finals of the host tournament. ULL signee Kyle Neely kept the Bronco batters off balance all night. Despite the tough mound competition the Broncos faced, they were able to scratch out 2 runs in the 3^rd inning of the 5 inning game. Neely struck out many of Sam Houston’s batters, but with timely bunting and pressure on the defense, the Broncos were able to manage to score 2 runs. 

Austin Gordon matched the Panther ace with 4 1/3^rd innings of 2 hit, 2 run ball. He struck out 3 while walking 1. He was aided by a great diving catch of a shot to the outfield by Tanner Stewart. Going in to the bottom of the 5^th, it looked like things may fall the younger team’s way. After getting the first out of that inning, the next Merryville batter lined a double to straight away center field. Coach Eggleston then brought in Tyler Dalton, who had pitched a great game while beating Sulphur in the opening game of the tournament. While Dalton pitched well, it was not enough, as the Panthers were then able to push across 1 run, and then scored the winning run with 2 outs.

Zach Rome and Collin Kober had the only 2 hits for the Broncos. Rome and Eric Peterson each scored a run.