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The Kern Valley varsity squad began the 2025 campaign with a home game versus Windward. The 10-2 decision was not a favorable outcome.
The Broncs fell behind early and could never recover. The Kern Valley defense struggled and their offense did not show up as they were limited to a pair of hits. They would be set down on strikes nine times as a team. Four errors cost them chances to keep the score close as innings were extended.
The Wildcats took the early lead after scoring a pair of runs in their first at bat. Both runs would be recorded as unearned as the Kern Valley defense suffered a letdown. The Broncs came up for the first time looking at a 2-0 deficit. Kern Valley put themselves in position to cut into the lead, but a unique double play ended the threat.
Aiden Madden got the inning started by working out a walk. He would steal a base and wind up at second. One out later, Ethan Stockwell was issued the free pass to put runners at first and second. With the runners on the move, Jordan Mead hit a ball up the middle that Windward recorded an out at first. Madden round third and attempted to scratch out a run. Unfortunately, he was cut down and the inning came to an end.
The Wildcats added a run ion the second to make it 3-0 before Kern Valley was able to crack the scoreboard. Zane Carver led off and was issued the base on balls. He swiped second to put himself in scoring position. Two strikeouts later, Wyatt Blagg stepped to the plate and recorded the first RBI of the year for Kern Valley. He smacked a double that plated Carver and made the score 3-1.
Windward was held off the board in the top of the third. The Broncs once again were able to scratch out a run to make it a one-run ball game. With one out, Aeden Quezada reached on an error. A ground ball out by Stockwell pushed Quezada to second. With two outs, this time it was Mead who answered. His two-bagger drove in Quezada and the score was know sitting at 3-2. With the tying run standing at second, the inning came to an end via the strikeout keeping it a one-run game.
The Wildcats got some insurance runs in the top of the fourth. Seven batters came to the plate and they pushed a pair of runs home to put the score at 5-2. Kern Valley had no answer and the game got out of hand the next inning. The Wildcats saw five consecutive batters reach base. All five came around to score to put the game out of reach for the Broncs. When the inning finally ended, it was decided that with darkness settling in the game was called and it was a loss for the hometown Broncs. The two RBI doubles by Blagg and Mead were the only hits for the Broncs. Quezada and Carver each scored one run. That was the offense on the day for Kern Valley.
On the mound, Madden was given the nod to start. He was credited with one and two-thirds innings. He allowed three runs, only one earned, on two hits. He walked three and struck out one batter. Up next was Jackson Price. He would toss one and two-thirds innings. He gave up five hits and two earned runs. He issued five free passes and struck out two in his pitching stint. Quezada followed and went one and a third allowing two hits and five runs. Only four were earned. He walked four and had a pair of strikeouts. Mead came in to face one batter and recorded an out by getting a caught fly ball.
Kern Valley head coach Mike Genthner commenting on the game said, “Tough way to start the season against a very good Windward team. We didn’t play as well as I had hoped. Our three pitchers had trouble throwing strikes, we made four throwing errors in the infield (three in the first inning) and struggled to make contact at the plate. We have a lot of young, inexperienced players that will improve as we get more games and practices under our belts.”
The Broncs (0-1) went on the road to play Laton on Tuesday and will play Mojave at home on Thursday. The game will start at 3:15 pm.
