CENTRAL HIGH — Apparently the Central High Bronchos got the memo that opening day at their own park is supposed to be exciting.

Because they gave the fans at Broncho Field plenty of excitement, and then some Monday afternoon against Waurika.

Despite facing two five-run deficits, the Bronchos overcame both of them and eventually pulled out a 20-12 victory in six innings.

The first Broncho comeback occurred in the third inning, as Waurika held a 5-0 lead only to see it disappear with six runs by the Bronchos.

“I believe some of our seniors stepped up,” Central High coach Harley Nelson said about the third inning. “We started finally getting it going at the plate and finally started coming together as a team. If we can play like we did from the third inning on during the season we’ll be alright.”

Austen Dewitt got the rally started with an RBI single through the left side, before later scoring on a wild pitch to make it 5-2.

Ashton Wright then connected with a base hit that went all the way to the wall, and gave Wright an RBI triple, scoring Matthew Quisenberry to make it a 5-3 game.

Jarrett Sparks then got in on the action, receiving some good fortune as he reached base on a fielding error at first base, which gave him an RBI and put the Bronchos within one run at 5-4.

Later in the inning, Sparks received more luck as he scored on a throwing error at third base to tie the game at 5-5.

Derek Davis put the Bronchos in the lead for the first time with an RBI single to make it 6-5.

“We gave them (Central High) seven or eight outs in that third inning,” Waurika coach Everett Hodges said. “But the good thing for us is that we scored 12 runs, and I never thought we would score that many with this lineup. Nobody likes to lose, but a lot of our kids are still learning the game and we’ll have to grow up together.”

Not to be outdone, WHS had some tricks of its own in the top half of the fourth inning.

Garret Bachand put the Eagles back in front with a two-RBI single which found the gap in left field, making it 7-6.

Dillon Pittman then gave WHS a cushion with a two-RBI single of his own to make it 9-6 heading into the bottom of the fourth.

“That was a huge inning for us,” Hodges said. “We had two two-run singles that helped us out. I know some freshmen got some big hits for us as well.”

Central High managed to get one back as Mikel Womack scored on a throwing error to make it 9-7, before Waurika responded with three more in the top of the fifth.

Mason Wilkerson and Bachand (2) collected the runs for the Eagles to make it a 12-7 game.

Then after the fifth inning, Wilkerson had to leave the game due to being a participant in the Oli Field Conference All-Star Game, which left the Eagles looking to hang on for the win.

Cue comeback #2 on the night.

With Bachand coming in to pitch in relief, the Bronchos managed to reel off nine runs to take a 16-12 lead with five innings complete.

RBI’s from Kade Taylor (2), Dewitt, and Sparks combined with runs scored by Quisenberry, Wright, Davis and Roger Robertson gave the Bronchos the boost they needed.

Central High (1-1) finished the game off in the sixth inning with RBI singles from Womack, Quisenberry and John Repp along with another run scored by Quisenberry scored via a wild pitch.

Waurika got on the board in the first inning through an RBI single from Brandon Taylor, before Blaine Shockley made it 2-0.

Wilkerson then drove home three runs with a gapper that found its mark with the bases loaded to make it 5-0.

Jarrett Sparks (1-1) picked up the win on the mound for the Bronchos, going three innings allowing seven runs on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks.

Bachand (0-1) was tagged with the loss for the Eagles, throwing a third of an inning in the fifth. He allowed seven runs on three hits with four walks.

Central High will be back in action today at Rush Springs, while Waurika will be hosting Ringling with both games set for 4:30 start times.



CENTRAL HIGH 20, WAURIKA 12

                   R    H    E

WAU    140    430        - 12    10    8

CEN    006    194          - 20    8    2

Kade Taylor, Matthew Quisenberry (2) and Ashton Wright, Jarrett Sparks (3) and Austen Dewitt. Mason Wilkerson, Garret Bachand (5) and Brandon Taylor, Brandon Taylor (5) and Dillon Pittman.  WP: Sparks (1-1) LP: Bachand (0-1) 2B: Wilkerson (2) (W). Jarrett Sparks (C). 3B: Wright (C)