The Broken Bow American Legion seniors baseball team hosted McCook for a doubleheader Wednesday at Paul Brown Field with the Mid Nebraska League West Division Title on the line. The two teams each entered with just one league loss and knew that a sweep of their opponent would clinch the division championship. Game one was and back and forth affair that was tied 7-7 after four innings. Broken Bow scored two runs in the fifth and McCook scored a run in the sixth to make it a one run game going to the seventh. Bow was the visiting team in game one and scored four big insurance runs in the top of the seventh to secure a 13-8 win. Broken Bow used four pitchers in the opening game of the doubleheader with Max Denson coming into the game in the sixth inning to close it out. The Bow seniors pounded out 17 hits in the victory led by Dominic Nowak who was 4 for 5 in the leadoff spot with 3 runs scored and a run batted in. Brice Chaplin was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI.
Game two was the opposite of game one as it turned into a low scoring pitcher’s duel. McCook scored a run in the first inning with Broken Bow getting on the board with a run in the fourth inning. The game stayed 1-1 until the bottom of the sixth when Jackson Hall hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Max Denson from third for what would be the winning run as Broken Bow held McCook scoreless in the 7th inning to secure a 2-1 win. Max Denson started the game on the mound going 3 2/3 innings giving up one run on four hits and striking out seven. Dominic Nowak pitched 3 1/3 innings of shutout relief giving up just two hits and striking out four. Jackson Hall was 2 for 2 at the plate and drove in both Broken Bow runs.
With the sweep, Broken Bow secured the Mid Nebraska League West Division championship and advances to the Mid Nebraska League championship game set for Monday, July 7th. The game will be played at the home field of the East Division champion which had yet to be determined. Broken Bow won the league championship last season and will now have the opportunity to defend their title. Monday’s championship will be broadcast on KBBN 95.3 FM.
