Last Bronc batter stops Hoadley’s bid for no-no

Colfax senior Brandon Hoadley came within one strike of pitching a no hitter Tuesday against Lind/Ritzville in the first game of a doubleheader at McDonald Park. Colfax took the opener 5-0.

Pitching on his birthday, Hoadley retired the first 20 Bronco batters in order and had two strikes on the final Bronco, who broke it up with a rap up the middle. Bronco Junior Bryce Hilzer rapped the shot up the middle with Colfax shortstop JJ Robinson making a stretch in an attempted stop.

Bronco Coach Jason Aldrich credited Hoadley with keeping the pace as he mowed down the first 20 Bronco batters. Coaches on the LR side urged their batters to do what they could to break the pace.

“He just pitched a great game,” Aldrich said.

Bronco senior pitcher Jacob Schstol also picked up credit from his coach for cooling the Colfax offense down to five runs.

The Bulldogs booked five runs for the win in the opener with Tyler Morse tagging two singles, Joe Johnson hitting a double, and JJ Robinson, Tyler McNannay and Will Hatley adding hits.

Alex Teade sustained Colfax pitching in the second game by allowing the Broncos just four hits for a 15-1 win in the second game. Teade walked zero and struck out two in front of a proficient Colfax defense.

Colfax broke open a close game with six runs in the third inning, five of them coming after LR had booked two outs on the Colfax offense. Kellen Morgan and Hoadley singled and Hatley was hit by a pitch to load up the bases in front of a triple by JJ Robinson who scored on an LR throwing error.

Johnson doubled and Tanner Gay tripled to add scores.

The Bulldogs broke out for another six runs in the fourth to hit the 10-run limit. Hatley and Johnson each had two-RBI hits in that innings.

Colfax Saturday hammered Almira-Coulee-Hartline 13-0 and 14-2 to keep their win string alive. Dustin Huber shut out ACH in the first game while the Bulldogs booked seven hits, three of them by Tyler McNannay and two by Hatley. JJ Robinson homered in the first game.

McNannay started the second game and booked the win after the Bulldogs went over the 10-run gap with a five-run charge in the fourth inning. Robinson relieved McNannay in the fourth.

Colfax stacked 13 hits in the second game with Johnson and Morse each tagging three hits with a double. Huber and Gay each had two.

Colfax booked Saturday’s double after crunching a roster thin Reardan team in makeup rounds Wednesday.

The Bulldogs blanked Reardan 26-0 in the first game and 32-0 in the second game. Coach Mike Parrish credited the young Reardan club with persevering after having four players bumped for eligibility and another player, a starting pitcher, out with an injury.

Colfax will travel to Davenport for a pair Saturday.