BETHANY — Bethany junior Jules Barger singled in the winning run in the 10th inning of the Bronchos’ 3-2 win over Woodward Tuesday (Sept. 2) in a 4A-3 contest.

Bethany coach Booker Blakley said he has emphasized the importance of fighting through tight ballgames and tough situations.

“I think the girls did a great job fighting tonight even when it was going a little tough,” Blakley said via text.

Barger’s fly ball to center field capped off an inning where the first two runners reached (singles by junior Emma Geissler and senior Paige Sechrist). Woodward starter Kaleigh Mills got two strikeouts with a walk from senior Maddison McNutt sandwiched in between to load the bases.

The Bronchos (4-8, 1-1) took the lead in the third inning on an RBI-double from junior Grey Williamson. That scored senior Berkley Johnson, who had walked.

The Boomers’ Mills answered in the fourth inning with a two-run home run to give Woodward the lead.

“To take the lead early and then immediately give it up in the next inning could have been a big gut punch but they did not allow it to be,” Blakley said.

Bethany tied the game in the fifth inning whe Geissler scored on a error on a sacrifice bunt by Johnson.

Each team had baserunners over the next 4 1/2 innings before the Bronchos walked it off.

“It’s good to see the girls get rewarded for their effort and their fight. I think it gets us back on the right track in district play.

While Woodward is just behind leader Elk City in the 4A-3 standings, it gave Bethany its first district win. It was also the Bronchos’ first district game since the Aug. 12 opening loss to Weatherford. The team had two district games rained out last week.

Senior Jayda Davis struck out 10 batters in 9 2/3 innings. She scattered eight hits and only one of the two runs charged to her were earned. Davis walked four.

“(It was a) big time performance,” Blakley said of Davis’ game. “(She) got herself out of some big time situations with runners on.”

Sechrist struck out the last batter in the top of the 10th to earn the win.

Barger finished 2-for-5 and Williamson was 1-for-5, each earning a run batted in.

“(Barger and Williamson) were able to come up with some big time hits at big time moments,” Blakley said.

Geissler and Sechrist each had a hit.

“We were able to have some good at bats this game and some more timely hitting,” Blakley said. We had a few girls hit the ball hard but right at people so hopefully we can continue that and those will start to fall.”

Blakley praised Johnson for “finding her way on base and putting pressure on their defense.”

Johnson walked twice and her sacrifice bunt set in motion the tying run.

“Happy for the kids and hopefully this is the start of a really good week.”

UP NEXT

Bethany hosts the Bethany Tournament Thursday-Saturday (Sept. 4-6).

The Bronchos open play Thursday at 10 a.m. with 6A Putnam City (1-6). Bethany then plays 3A Casady (1-5) at 1 p.m.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	R	H	E
Woodward (7-2, 2-2)	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	8	1
Bethany (4-8, 1-1)	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	3	5	1