The Broken Bow Spirit 14U team advanced to the championship round at the Class D Nebraska USA softball state championships in Hastings. The Spirit is the only remaining unbeaten team in the double elimination tournament as they advanced through the winner’s bracket on Saturday. After defeating Hebron on Friday night, the Spirit knocked off Denton 6-4. Broken Bow trailed 3-1 after two innings but then scored four runs in the third and added another one in the fourth as they took the lead and held on for the win. Alexis Pflaster and Ida Bumgarner led the way offensively as both finished 3 for 4 with one run scored. Lily Thorton had a triple and 2 RBI. The win advanced the Spirit in the winner’s bracket where they would face the Blue Springs Lightning. After falling behind early, Bow erupted for seven runs in the fourth inning on their way to an 8-4 win. The Spirit pounded out 17 hits. Ruby Russell was 3 for 3 at the plate with one run scored and 3 RBI. Ida Bumgarner was 3 for 4 with one run scored and 2 runs batted in. Alexis Pflaster, Lily Thorton, Skylar Smith, and Klarissa Dowdy all had two hits in the victory. With the win, Broken Bow advanced through the winner’s bracket and will play for the championship on Sunday. Broken Bow needs one more win for the title while their yet to be determined opponent would have to defeat Broken Bow twice to claim the championship.
The Broken Bow Spirit 16U/18U team went 0-3 at the Class D state championships Saturday. After falling to the Osmond Tigers on Friday 10-5, the Spirit fell to Arlington 11-8 and then to the Blue Springs Lightning 10-1.
