Broncos split with Greenbacks to go 11-3

 By DAVID THOMPSON Daily News Sportswriter
 RUSSELL - On Friday, April 27, the Russell Broncos hosted the Greenbacks from Pratt, and it started out with the Broncos jumping out to a 4-1 lead, unfortunately, the games lasts for more than one inning.
In the top of the second inning, the Greenbacks spanked Russell for 13 runs assisted by five Bronco errors.
But Russell wasn't going to go down without a fight, and in their half of the second inning, Steven Walters hit a two-run home run, and Tyler Nuss hit a double to score third baseman, Blaise Kaufman.
The first game was called after the fifth inning because Pratt had amassed a 10 run lead over the Broncos, and therefore by rule, the game was called, giving Pratt the win by the score of 18-8.
The second game started with Pratt scoring the first two runs in the top of the first off pitcher Tyler Nuss.
With Russell coming to bat, center fielder Ryan Feil batted in the lead-off and hit a double to get things started.
Adam Neal drew a base on balls which brought Steven Walters to the plate. Walters hit a home run sending the ball over the left field fence, to put the Broncos on top by a score of 3-2.
In the top of the second inning, Nuss increased his strikeout count to three, adding to the two strikeouts in the first inning, and holding the Greenbacks to only two baserunners, which were given free passes to first base by walking.
The Broncos also were held scoreless in the second inning as the side was retired in order.
Pratt scored two runs in the top of the third inning, and Nuss increased his strikeout total by three.
In the bottom of the third, first baseman Jacob Schulte led off with a double, then Nuss hit a single, but made it to second base on an error by the Pratt shortstop, allowing Schulte to score.
Right fielder, Nathan Ryan, scored on a steal attempt by Cody Hamlin, who was eventually called out at second for the third out. This brought Bronco coach Joel Thaemert out of the dugout to argue the call with the umpire.
The partisan Russell crowd was in agreement with Thaemert.
In the top of the fourth inning, Pratt scored two more runs when Thaemert made a pitching change, bringing in Jeremy Grizzle. The Greenbacks totaled four runs in the inning to bring the score to 8-7.
The Broncos came back and tied the score when Walters hit his second home run of the game, and the third of the afternoon.
Grizzle pitched flawlessly as he retired the next three Pratt batters in order.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Broncos exploded as the first four batters crossed the plate. Ryan Feil flied out to second, then Adam Neal got on base with a single, and scored off a sacrifice by Walters.
Third baseman, Blaise Kaufman was next to get on base, and scored when Schulte hit a double, but was tagged out trying to steal third on an overthrow.
Pratt tried to do some more damage when Brian Kirby hit a solo home run over the left fence with two outs.
Right fielder Casey Garten hit a single, then shortstop Eric Depew flied out to the shortstop to end the game. Russell had defeated a good Pratt team 13-9.