Broncos hope to build on softball success
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year AGO
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | March 12, 2025 2:25 PM
RITZVILLE — After qualifying for the state playoffs in 2024, the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague softball team is looking to for ways to continue that success in 2025.
Athletic Director Dustan Arlt said LRS qualified for the state playoffs for the second time in the program’s 20-year history. The Broncos lost 6-4 to Warden in the first round; Warden went on to play for the state championship, finishing second.
“A tough game, actually,” Arlt said.
The team lost a lot of players through graduation, he said, but three players return, including pitcher Hannah Towne, a first team all-league selection. Two second-team all-league players also return, catcher Aeowyn Armstrong and infielder Madisyn Cameron.
“Those are our only three upperclassmen on the roster,” Arlt said.
Freshmen and sophomores, some of them first-time players, have turned out, he said, and some roster spots might be filled by eighth graders. In certain circumstances, eighth graders are allowed to play high school sports, and the LRS middle school program is strong, Arlt said. About 26 girls have turned out for middle school softball.
The team will have a solid core but many players will be new to varsity, he said.
Broncos Softball Schedule 2025
March 14 at Davenport High School, 2 p.m./4 p.m.
March 18 vs Warden High School, 2 p.m./4 p.m.
March 25 vs Colfax High School, 4 p.m.
March 29 at Colfax High School, noon/2 p.m.
April 1 at Freeman High School, 4 p.m.
April 5 vs Freeman High School, noon/2 p.m.
April 15 vs Asotin Middle/High School, 4:30 p.m.
April 19 at Connell High School, 11 a.m./1 p.m.
April 22 vs Liberty High School (Spangle), 2 p.m./4 p.m.
May 1 at Liberty High School (Spangle), 4 p.m.
May 3 at Asotin Middle/High School, noon/2 p.m.
Broncos Boys Baseball Schedule
Fri Mar 14 @ Davenport High School 2 p.m.
Tue Mar 18 Davenport High School 4 p.m.
Fri Mar 21 Newport High School (Newport) 2 p.m./4 p.m.
Tue Mar 25 vs Colfax High School 4 p.m.
Sat Mar 29 @ Colfax High School noon/2 p.m.
Tue Apr 1 @ Freeman High School 4 p.m.
Sat Apr 5 vs Freeman High School noon/2 p.m.
Tue Apr 15 vs Liberty High School (Spangle) 2 p.m.
Tue Apr 15 vs Asotin Middle/High School 4:30 p.m.
Sat Apr 19 @ Connell High School 11 a.m./1 p.m.
Tue Apr 22 vs Liberty High School (Spangle) 2 p.m./4:30 p.m.
Thu May 1 @ Liberty High School (Spangle)
Sat May 3 @ Asotin Middle/High School noon/2 p.m.
Broncos Boys & Girls Track Schedule
Thu Mar 13 @ Bridgeport High School with 8 others 3 p.m.
Sat Apr 26 vs Brewster High School with 15 others 10:30 a.m.
Broncos Boys & Girls Tennis Schedule
Wed Mar 19 @ Medical Lake High School 3:30 p.m.
Wed Mar 26 @ Freeman High School 3:30 p.m.
Mon Mar 31 @ Reardan High School 2 p.m.
Wed Apr 2 vs Jenkins Junior/Senior High School 3:30 p.m.
Fri Apr 4 vs Saint George's School 3:30 p.m.
Wed Apr 16 vs Freeman High School 3:30 p.m.
Sat Apr 19 @ Newport High School (Newport) 11 a.m.
Wed Apr 23 vs Reardan High School 3:30 p.m.
Mon Apr 28 @ Saint George's School 2 p.m.
Wed May 7 vs Newport High School (Newport) 3:30 p.m.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Road closures, roundabout, mean construction season underway
EPHRATA — The grass is starting to turn green, the trees are starting to leaf out, construction crews are starting to build roundabouts – hey, it’s spring. At least one roundabout project is in its final phase, held over from fall 2025. The intersection of State Route 282 and Nat Washington Way will be closed the week of April 6 to allow crews to install permanent lights. “This really is the final (closure),” wrote Grant County Administrator Tom Gaines in a media release. “The roundabout will close at 6 a.m. Monday, and we plan to reopen by Friday, possibly sooner if the work finishes early.”
Ybarra announces run for Washington Senate
QUINCY — State Representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, has announced his candidacy for the Washington Senate. If he’s elected, he would replace Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, who announced her retirement in March.
Othello Community Museum to open April 25
OTHELLO — With a couple of new exhibits, a new heating-cooling system, rearranged displays and a thorough cleaning, the Othello Community Museum will open for the summer April 25. The goal, said Molly Popchock, museum board secretary, is to operate for a full season.