By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
sports@thevillagereporter.com
BRYAN (March 31, 2025) – Bryan pitcher Thea Staten struck out 14 and stifled the Apache hitters in a 5-0 win at Recreation Park.
Both teams’ offenses were quiet through the first three innings as no Apaches reached base while Bryan had just one baserunner.
Bryan hit the scoreboard in their half of the fourth inning as Reese Ruffer opened the frame with a bunt single and would advance to second base after an error by Fairview first baseman Amaya Perez.
Ruffer moved to third on a passed ball and then would score on a sacrifice fly to left field by Josey Arnold as the Golden Bears grabbed a 1-0 lead.
Staten, who drew a walk prior to the Arnold sac fly, worked her way to third and scored on a Mackenzie Blevins RBI single for a 2-0 advantage.
Fairview threatened in the fifth as Edreanne Peck was hit by a pitch to start the inning, moved to second on a wild pitch, and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt.
She would be stranded there though as Staten retired the next two Apache batters to keep the Bryan lead at 2-0.
Bryan added three more in the fifth to give Staten a cushion as Clare Stever and Emaline Slagle started the frame with back-to-back singles.
After an Amiyah Langham strikeout and with Stever and Slagle now at second and third, Ruffer smacked a single to right field to score Stever and Slagle to push the lead to 4-0.
The Bears added one more run as a Staten hit to the outfield resulted in a two-base error and Ruffer came around from first to score for an insurmountable 5-0 lead.
Ruffer fronted the Bryan offense with two singles and two runs knocked in.
FHS 000 000 0 – 0 0 2
BHS 000 230 x – 5 6 1
Records: FHS 1-3, BHS 2-0
WINNING PITCHER: Staten (7 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks 14 strikeouts)
LOSING PITCHER: Peck (5 innings, 5 hits, 5 runs, 4 earned, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts); Other: Warner
LEADING HITTERS: (Bryan) Ruffer – 2 singles, 2 RBIs