The Mustang Broncos (3-2) picked up their first three wins of the season last weekend in the 2022 Broken Arrow tournament.
The Broncos defeated 2021 Class 3A semifinalist Dewey, ’21 Class 5A semifinalist Pryor, and ’21 Class 4A quarterfinalist Stigler, scoring 28 runs combined in the wins. Mustang also lost twice, falling to 4A Hilldale and ’21 5A state quarterfinalist Tahlequah.
MUSTANG 16, DEWEY 1 (3 INNINGS)
The Broncos exploded for all 16 runs in the first two innings against Dewey, marking the team’s first win of the 2022 season.
Six players racked up at least two hits, including senior Landry Garza, who went 3-for-3 with a double and three RBI. Garza also earned the win in the circle, allowing just one unearned run on three hits with two strikeouts.
Senior Logan Pickelsimer, juniors Arionna McElroy, Eden Anderson, Emerson Pegram, Kenzie Sessions and freshman Lexy Kierstead all finished with two knocks, and all had at least one double, including two from Anderson. Freshman Reese Poage went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI as well. Junior Rylee Hannon added a stolen base and a run scored.
MUSTANG 9, PRYOR 1 (5 INNINGS)
Mustang scored eight runs in the top of the fourth inning, leading to a 9-1 win over 5A power Pryor.
The Broncos pushed the eight runs across on five hits, including a three-run double from McElroy, a one-run double from Anderson, a two-run triple from Sessions, and a two-run home run from Kierstead, who also doubled to lead off the frame.
Garza gave Mustang a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a solo home run. Pryor tied the game in the top of the fourth with a solo homer off senior Kiera McGahee, who allowed just three hits with three strikeouts over five shutdown innings.
MUSTANG 3, STIGLER 0
McGahee closed the tournament with a no-hitter against 4A Stigler, covering six innings with four strikeouts and one walk.
The senior needed just 72 pitches in her no-hit bid, including 45 strikes. It was her second straight dominant performance after shutting down Pryor earlier in the tournament.
Mustang’s lineup staked McGahee to three runs on nine hits, including two knocks each from Sessions, McElroy, and Pegram. Kierstead also doubled, stole a base, and scored a run.
MUSTANG 3, HILLDALE 4
The Broncos lost a tight battle to Class 4A Hilldale in the tournament and season opener Friday.
After allowing three runs in the first two innings, Mustang mounted a comeback, plating three to tie the game in the top of the fifth. However, it wasn’t enough as the Hornets answered with the eventual game-winning run in the bottom half of the frame.
The Broncos finished with seven hits, including two from Garza, who drove in one of the team’s three runs along with Anderson and Sessions. Garza, McElroy, and Sessions each doubled while junior Fae Cornish went 1-for-2 with a single, a run scored, and a walk.
McGahee suffered the loss after allowing four runs, including three earned, on seven hits with four strikeouts and two walks over 5.2 innings.
MUSTANG 6, TAHLEQUAH 7
The Broncos allowed four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, leading to the team’s second loss of the tournament.
A walk, hit-by-pitch, error, and two hits, including a three-run triple, did Mustang in late as the Broncos gave up a 6-3 lead in the sixth.
Garza suffered the loss even after pitching well through five innings, allowing five earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks. The team committed four errors behind her.
Mustang scored at least one run in the first four frames, including a three-run second inning. Overall, the Broncos tallied nine hits, including two apiece from McElroy and Cornish.
The Broncos open district play this week with a road game at Southmoore on Tuesday followed by the team’s home opener on Thursday against Edmond Santa Fe.
