OKLAHOMA CITY — Two days after suffering a brutal extra inning loss to Weatherford, Bethany fought back from a deficit and a Jules Barger seventh inning home run sent the Bronchos to a 6-4 win over McGuinness Thursday (Sept. 3).

Bethany trailed 4-3 entering the final inning. Sophomore Kate Sydnes walked to lead off the inning. After a strikeout of sophomore Avery Bibbs, senior Emma Geissler doubled to center field. The extra-base hit moved courtesy runner Eliana Burris to third base.

Senior Grey Williamson tied the game at 4-4 with a sacrifice fly to center. Then, Barger sent the second pitch she saw over the center field wall for a 6-4 lead.

Avery Bibbs, who earned the win in relief, allowed a single and a walk in the bottom of the seventh but worked out of the jam for the victory.

Bethany coach Booker Blakley was happy to get the District 4A-3 win, which have been a struggle for the Bronchos, against an improved Irish squad.

“It was good to see the girls fight when the result on Tuesday could have lingered into today,” Blakely said via text.

Bethany took a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a single from Geissler, a triple from Barger and a double from senior Ella Davis. The Irish got a run back in the bottom of the inning on a Broncho error.

McGuinness tied the game at 2-2 in the third with a walk and two singles. The Irish took a 3-2 lead in the fourth when senior Mya Madu homered to left.

The Bronchos answered in the sixth inning. Barger doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on sophomore Macy Bibbs’ infield single.

McGuinness mounted a 2-out rally in the bottom of the inning. Back-to-back walks, a passed ball and a single gave the Irish a 4-3 lead before the Broncho comeback.

Barger finished just a single shy of the cycle with a 3-for-4 day. She scored three times and drove in three runs.

In the circle, Barger took a no-decision after scattering five hits over five innings. She walked two and struck out three batters.

The top four in the the Bronchos’ order went 10-for-15, scored three runs and drove in five.

Blakley praised the top of the order, including Barger and Davis.

“Macy Bibbs did a great job tying the ball game up in the sixth and Katelyn Sydnes did a really good job getting us started in the seventh inning on offense,” Blakley said.

Blakley also praised Avery Bibbs, who tossed the final two innings.

“I thought Avery came in and did a good job in relief and not letting the moment overwhelm us.”

UP NEXT

Bethany (10-8, 3-4) will labor on the holiday by traveling to Elk City Monday (Sept. 7) for a 3 p.m. matchup with 4A-3 Elk City.

The Elkettes (10-9, 2-3) dropped a 10-9 contest Clinton Thursday.

W: A. Bibbs. L: Madelyn Milligan.

2B: Davis, Geissler, Barger. 3B: Barger. HR: Barger. SF: Williamson. SB: Geissler, M. Bibbs. CS: Davis. E: A. Bibbs. NOTE: Burris scored for Sydnes.

HR: Madu. HBP: Breslin, Madelyn Milligan. SB: Madu, Megan Milligan, Webb. NOTE: Webb scored for Madelyn Milligan.