Clarendon’s historic season came to an end as the Lady Broncos were overpowered by Riesel in a two-game sweep during the UIL Class 2A Division I state semifinals on Tuesday and Thursday at Abilene Christian University.
The Lady Broncos fell in Tuesday’s opener 13-1 followed by a 12-2 run-rule Thursday to complete the sweep for the Lady Indians.
The rest of this story is only for subscribers.
Clarendon, which was making the programs first ever state semifinal appearance, ends a dream season at 30-8-1 overall. The 30 wins is a school record for a season. The Lady Broncos will also say goodbye to veteran coach Brad Elam, who is retiring after 22 years at the school and the past six as the softball coach.
“Riesel was an excellent team,” Elam said. “But I’m proud of the girls. They all fought for one another all year and made this last season for me so much fun. We have a great senior class that led the way for this historic season and it’s something that none of us will forget. I love the community of Clarendon, but I just felt this was the right time for me to step aside and see what a younger coach can come in and do. With my daughter (Hayden) graduating this was the perfect time for me. I’ve been very fortunate to be at this school.”
Riesel (29-4-1) set the tone in Tuesday’s opener scoring six runs over the first three innings to build a 6-1 lead against Lady Broncos ace Kennadie Cummins. Leading 1-0 after the first inning, Riesel took total control off a three-run home run from Sveva Mariotti putting the Lady Indians up 4-0. Mariotti finished the game going 2-for-4 with those three RBIs with teammate Kyleigh Benton also adding a homer on a 3-for-3 day at the dish with three RBIs.
On Thursday, Riesel put the contest away pouring on six runs in the bottom of the first highlighted by a Benton two-run single. Clarendon wasn’t able to recover as the Lady Indians went on for the victory. Benton had another big day at the plate going 3-for-4 with two runs driven in. Benton also threw six innings allowing two runs with eight strikeouts.
Clarendon’s Tandie Cummins did have an RBI double despite the loss.