Bucktail Softball Downs Benton, 6-5

by Jim Morgan

BENTON – The Bucktail Lady Bucks held off a late rally in the seventh inning to defeat Benton 6-5 on Monday, their second win a row. The Lady Bucks started off strong in the first inning as lead-off hitter Anna Cowfer singled and stole all three bases to score. Myka Poorman drew a walk and Makenzi Brennan singled for the RBI.

Benton would answer in the bottom of the second with two runs and making it 2-2 after two complete. Poorman was again having a good night on the mound as she struck out 7 and giving up 2 walks as Benton had 9 hits.

It was not until the top of the fifth inning that the Lady Bucks scored three runs on five hits. A bunt single from Maria D’Onofrio started things and Poorman walked. Emily Cross bunted for a single and advanced to second on the throw. Poorman would score on a Brennan single. Cross scored on a ground ball by Emma Intallura. Brennan would score on a single by Sara Kepler for the third run of the inning, making it 5-2 Lady Bucks.

Bucktail would add one more run in the sixth as A. Cowfer led-off with a single. She would score on a sacrifice fly to leftfield by Poorman.

With the Lady Bucks leading 6-2, Benton came up in the bottom of the seventh swinging. The first batter reached base on an error. Next hitter singled with an RBI. The fourth batter singled for another RBI. Still with one out Benton would score one more run as the next two batters grounded out to Poorman on the mound to end the game.

Kepler lead the Lady Bucks on offense as she went 2 for 2 and 1 RBI. A. Cowfer was 3 for 4 and scored twice. Brennan went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI as Casper and D’Onofrio were 2 for 4 each. Poorman was 1 for 1 and 2 walks as she scored twice.

Bucktail got back to .500 (4-4) and will quickly have a rematch with Benton on Tuesday at home starting at 4:30 p.m.