The Lady Reds vanquished the Platte Valley Broncos 12-2 at the conference game in Kersey on Sept. 24. The first inning concluded with a 2-2 tie, but the Reds quickly added on two more insurance runs in following inning. The Reds then raked in eight runs in the third inning and silenced the Broncos for the rest of the game. Rachel Graham (11) pitched the entire game and only allowed the Broncos two runs. Varsity catcher Karissa Hatchell (11) said they did well in the third inning because “we took our time at bat, we took good swings, and we didn’t swing at crappy pitches. We gained confidence. When the person in front of us had a good hit, we had more confidence that we were going to hit as well.” Also, several key walks and base hits helped load the bases and score eight runs. Varsity infielder Brynn Millett (11) agreed with Hatchell and said in the third inning “we were calmer and took smarter at bats. Overall, we hit a lot better.” Unfortunately, Millett injured her left wrist and hand when she caught a throw at first base. She said, “It looks like I’m not going to be able to play. I cried for awhile when the doctor said that I was out for at least two weeks, but we have a pretty good team, and they will pick me up.” After the Platte Valley win, the Lady Reds sit at the halfway mark in the season. Varsity coach Dale Hughes said this win sets the team up for the rest of the season because “like I have been saying to the girls all year, we need to take care of business and this was one of the games that we were supposed to win. A win is a win no matter how ugly or good it looks.” The game ended early in the bottom of the fifth inning because the Reds were ahead by 10. After losing 5-16 to the Sterling Tigers on Sept. 17, the Reds bounced back with a two-game winning streak when they defeated Valley 7-2 on Sept. 19 and now with the 10 run triumph over Platte Valley. The Lady Reds’ overall record so far this season is 10-2 and a league record of 6-2. The Reds will face off with their two strongest competitors again, Sterling and Strasburg, next week. Their next game is at Lyons on Sept. 26 at 11 a.m.