The 2024 Western Conference softball tournament took place in Alliance on Saturday with Alliance, Chadron, Gering and Scottsbluff playing three games a piece during the day. The Gering Bulldogs were the champions with the Chadron Cardinals coming in third after losing to both Gering and Scottsbluff but defeating Alliance.
The day for Chadron started by taking on Gering. The Bulldogs got two runs in the top of the first with Chadron responding in the bottom of the inning with an Addie Gruver run. Gering put six across in the top of the second and continued running away with the game, winning 15-2. Chadron had two runs with two hits in the game.
The second game of the day for Chadron was against the host the Alliance Bulldogs, and in a continuing trend the Cardinals put up double digit runs against Alliance. The Cardinals got three in the bottom of the first, five in the second and six in the third while Alliance was only able to muster single runs in the first and third innings. The final score, 14-2 Chadron.
Gruver had three hits, two runs, and an RBI while Averielle Sager had three runs, two hits and two RBI’s. Jacey Turman had seven RBI’s in the game off three hits.
The final game of the day saw them go up against the Scottsbluff Bearcats. Chadron got the first run of the game with the Bearcats responding with two. Three more in the bottom of the second steered the Bearcats clear enough as they won 7-2. Chadron outhit Scottsbluff 8-5 but struggled defensively.
Gruver and Jae Gooder recorded the runs while sophomore Alex Rasmussen had three hits in the effort.
The Cardinals are now 5-9 on the season and will host Alliance Tuesday Night.