Hastings College’s Connor Weber turned in a masterful pitching performance over Briar Cliff University, proving why he’s the Broncos’ top starter.

Weber, a redshirt freshman, threw a nifty four-hitter in his five innings on the hill. He fanned five batters on the way to his second win against no losses.

The Bronco batters mustered enough fire power at Duncan Field to help HC win a 4-3 decision in the GPAC opener for both teams.

Weber has come a long way in improving his game since he joined the Bronco pitching staff a year ago. He’s a redshirt freshman who had limited opportunities. Since then, Weber’s hard work has helped him become HC’s ace.

“He’s a kid that worked his tail off all fall. He’s turned out to be our number one guy,” said Hastings College coach Victor Rojas

“When we were down in Louisiana, we had him as the game two guy. Then the following week we switched it to go game one. He’s been that guy since.”

Rojas likes the way Weber pitches with an excellent command of the strike zone.

“He can hit his spots. He moves the ball around the four quadrants of the zone which keeps hitters off balance,” Rojas said about Weber. “He’s got a lot of moxie. He’s not afraid. He’s a guy that knows how to pitch and he wants the ball.”

Weber’s pitching victory got jump started in the first inning Friday when the Broncos jumped on the Chargers for a 3-0 lead.

HC never relinquished its lead. But the Chargers scored a pair of runs in the final inning against Bronco reliever Brody Severin.

Severin got credit for a save, even though he got roughed up in his two innings of work on the bump.

Strong defense by the Broncos helped protect its lead and claim a win in their conference opener.

“We’re still finding who we are and what we’re capable of doing. It is early but we are happy with where we are at,” Rojas said.

The coach also likes his defense, which played cleanly in the confernece opener.

“So far so good. From a defensive standpoint, especially in the in field, we are getting better and better,” Rojas said. “We’ve got a freshman at third base. He’s a picking machine. We have a couple of veteran guys on the other side of the infield. I’m not worried about our defense.”

Both squads cranked out seven hits. The Broncos’ Evan Morrson and Samuel Bruno blasted a triple apiece. Scoring a run each for HC were Morrison, Bruno, Tyler Rojas and Chris Faherty.

Chargers (7-13)……000 100 2 — 3 7 1

Broncos (11-6)……..300 010x — 4 7 0

W — Connor Weber. L — Nick Hays.

2B — BC, Cael Walrod.

3B — BC, Nico Sall, Cade Marquardt. H, Evan Moerrison, Samuel Bruno.

Game Two: Chargers 11, Broncos 5

A three-run homer in the eighth inning capped the Chargers’ win over Hastings College in the second game of a GPAC twin bill.

The game’s lead went back and forth in early innings. But Briar Cliff put the game in its pocket with a four-run rally in the fifth frame. The outburst gave BC a 6-3 cushion. The Chargers led the rest of the way.

BC starting pitcher Brendan Ward completed seven innings of the nine-inning nightcap. He allowed the Broncos four of their six hits. Ward fanned five batters.

Briar Cliff batters teed off on six Bronco pitchers for 15 hits.

Nico Sall’s three-run circuit clout was BC’s only extra-base hit.

Hastings’ Chris Faherty and Carter Guiton slugged a double each.

Chargers (8-13)…..110 040 023 — 11 14 2

Broncos (11-7)………002 100 020 — 5 6 1

W — Brendan Ward. L — Carmen Severino.

2B — H, Chris Faherty, Carter Guiton.

HR — BC, Nico Sall.