Ray Conner
Sports Editor

Going to the championship in Bakersfield, fuels the fires for the varsity lady Broncs softball squad.

Seeing they could compete on the same level with the bigger schools allows Kern Valley to gain more confidence as the games continue this season.

In a file photo from last season, Katie Emery scores a run for the Lady Broncs. Kern Valley made it to the championship game in the Bakersfield Tournament this past weekend.

The Lady Broncs squared off against the likes of Arvin, Foothill, South, Mira Monte, and Delano.

Along the way the collected wins over everyone except Arvin who they faced in the title contest.

The Lady Bears jumped out to 1-0 lead after the first inning as they pushed a run home. An error allowed the inning to continue and the run came around to score.

The Lady Broncs would answer right back as they crossed the plate twice to take the 2-1 lead.

Jamie Duran led off the inning with a walk. She stole second and third and came home on a pass ball.

Two outs later, Taylor Williams singled and Katy Emery tripled her home to give Kern Valley the 2-0 lead.

That’s where the offense stopped as the Lady Broncs managed just one hit the rest of the way.

Arvin tied the score in their half of the second and went on to explode for four runs in the top of the sixth inning. Three hits, a pair of free passes and a fielder’s choice pushed the runs home and made the score 6-2.

Kern Valley went quietly in the bottom of the sixth inning to bring home the second place trophy.

Evans was saddled with the loss as she went all six innings. She allowed the six runs, only four were earned on seven hits. She struck out two and walked three.

Kern Valley started the tournament by beating Delano 4-2. A three-run third propelled the Lady Broncs to the early win.

They collected eight hits, including three for extra bases in the game.

Delano scored both of their runs late in the game to put a slight scare into the Lady Broncs squad.

Evans was dominate on the hill as she allowed just two hits on the two runs. She walked one and struck out eight batters to earn the win.

On offense, the Lady Broncs were led by Kelsie Robinson with two hits, including a double. She also drove home two runs.

Duran added two hits, while Emery and Williams each had a single and one RBI. Katie Clifton smacked a triple, while Evans had a double for Kern Valley.

Game two matched the Lady Broncs up with Mira Monte. This game proved easy as Kern Valley shut out Mira Monte 5-0.

The Lady Broncs scored all five runs in the first two innings to put the game out of reach. Duran was dominate on the hill as she pitched all four innings allowing just one hit. She walked none and struck out nine.

The offense was carried by Evans with a home run and two RBIs. Duran had a home run, while Robinson, Williams and Kylie Onstott had one hit apiece.

Up next Kern Valley faced South High School. It was short work as the Lady Broncs scored 10 runs to end the lady Rebels tournament.

Kern Valley scored six runs in the fourth to blow the game wide open and advance them to the quarterfinals.

Emery had the hot bat as she had two hits, including a double and a triple. She knocked in a pair of runs.

Robinson collected two hits, including a double. She drove home two runs, while Duran had two hits, including a double.

Jessica Yasin, had one hit and a pair of RBIs, while Evans and Williams each had one hit and one RBI.

Onstott smacked a double to cap the offense for the Lady Broncs.

Evans went all five innings allowing three hits and the one run. She walked none and struck out eight.

In the semi final game against Foothill, the Lady Broncs had another easy time as they won 8-0.

They scored all of their runs in the first two innings and cruised to the win.

Duran on the mound pitched a four inning no hitter. She struck out eight, while missing a perfect game by two batters.

Two errors allowed runners to reach base.

On the offensive side, the Lady Broncs were led by Robinson and Yasin who delivered home runs and a pair of RBIs apiece.

Duran and Williams each had one hit and an RBI, while Emery had two hits.Evans, Clifton and Katie Bletcher each had one hit, while Morgan Eirich drove in one run.

Head coach Ben Goffinet said, “This was the first time we have made it to the championship bracket in this tourney. I was very pleased with how we played. We can improve, obviously, but overall a good tournament.”