Neumann keeps pace in Mid Penn Conference with 13-3 win over Bucks

By Bees O’Brien

WILLIAMSPORT- St. John Neumann had no idea just how important taking care of business against Bucktail would turn out to be. The Golden Knights trailed Mid Penn Conference leading Montgomery by two games entering the day and would need the Red Raiders to have a slip up against one of the two cellar dwellers in the conference’s west division.

Sugar Valley and Bucktail were all that stood between Neumann and Montgomery’s Thursday night clash this coming week and it would be the Phoenix of Sugar Valley pulling off the biggest stunner of the Mid Penn Conference season by downing the Red Raiders and giving the Golden Knights some hope at a conference title.

St. John Neumann knew all too well about a similar scenario from a season ago when the Bucks invaded their home turf and shocked the Golden Knights, which eliminated them from the conference title contention and ultimately led to their elimination from District IV 1A playoff contention.

The Knights have already locked up a playoff spot, but a Mid Penn loss would have eliminated them from a league title.

Neumann knew what was at stake and wasted little time in making quick work of the Bucks. The Golden Knights used a 10-0 lead after just 3 innings and fended off Bucktail rallies in the top of the fourth inning and Bucktail’s final fifth inning at bat to eventually win by a 13-3 mercy rule.

The Bucks crossed a run in the fourth inning before plating 2 more in the top of the fifth, but finish one run shy of extending the game.

Tyler Hillyer’s two singles led Bucktail’s offense. Keller Friese connected on a double and two runs batted in. Ethan Charcalla had a base hit and an RBI and senior Talan Ditty connected on a hit and a run scored.

The Bucks will now take their 2-10 record on the road Saturday with a road trip to Benton.