Muncy escapes Farwell with 14-11 win over Bucks

By Bees O’Brien

FARWELL- The Muncy Indians’ baseball team entered Farwell Tuesday afternoon with a 12-6 record and high hopes entering the PIAA District IV 2A playoffs. The Indians already own a 15-1 victory over their opposition, the Bucktail Bucks.

That lopsided win came back in the beginning of April. Muncy coach Shawn Finn and his Indians would quickly see that this wasn’t the same Bucks from that April 9 meeting in Muncy.

The Bucks drew first blood in the bottom of the first inning. Senior catcher Kyler Friese connected on his first of two singles. Friese then scored following a steal attempt at third base. He then scored on a Muncy throwing error to give Bucktail a 1-0 lead after one inning.

Muncy eventually did catch on to the Bucks’ starting pitcher Brett Mason and cross a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead, but it could have been a lot worse for the Bucks. Right fielder Tyler Hillyer would end the Muncy rally with a great catch on a hard hit fly ball to end the inning.

Freshman Cael Dorman would reach base in the Bucktail second inning with a single, but the freshman shortstop would be stranded.

Dorman would step up big the following inning for the Bucks in the field. Dorman would toss out a runner at home and handle a hard-hit ground ball for a put out at first to keep the Indians from scoring in their half of the third inning.

Kyler and Keller Friese came up big in the bottom of the third inning. The brothers would connect on back-to-back singles and Ethan Kalafut would deliver a single to advance both Kyler and Keller into scoring position. Kyler would eventually score on a past ball, as would Keller to give Bucktail a 3-2 lead.

Muncy would unload on the Bucks in the top of the fourth inning, which included senior Noah Confer’s 3 RBI double. Muncy would cross 8 runs in the inning to build a 10-3 lead.

Bucktail was far from done.

Gavin Pick, Dorman and Ethan Charcalla would all safely reach base. Pick and Charcalla with singles and Dorman made his way on a fielder’s choice.

All three would score thanks to a double from Braylon Fantaski and a triple from Keller Friese. Friese’s triple would also score Fantaski to make it a 10-7 score in favor of Muncy.

Muncy would score 3 more runs in the top of the sixth inning, but again the Bucks would not roll over.

Brett Mason would be struck by a pitch and Fantaski would connect with a single. Kyler and Keller Friese would both pick up walks. Kalafut would deliver a 3 RBI single and Johnny Green’s sacrafice fly would score Keller Friese. The Bucks now trailed 13-11.

Muncy added a much-needed insurance run in their top of the seventh inning to extend their lead to 14-11.

The Indians would bring in Confer to close out the game following a walk from Charcalla. Confer would fan two Buck hitters and force a long fly out to left field to end the game.

Bucktail pounded out 12 hits in the loss. Braylon Fantaski, Kyler Friese, Gavin Pick, Keller Friese and Ethan Kalafut all collected 2 hits each. Ethan Charcalla and Cael Dorman both hit singles in the loss.

Muncy improved to 13-6 on the year and will more than likely open playoffs on the road at South Williamsport.

Bucktail dropped to 2-15 and are scheduled to host Northern Potter on Wednesday afternoon with weather permitting