First inning woes continue for Bucktail baseball In 22-0 loss to CMVT

By Bees O’Brien

FARWELL, PA – Bucktail’s baseball team endured another setback on a frigid Wednesday afternoon in Farwell. Once again it would be a dismal first inning that would cost the Bucks against visiting Columbia Montour Vo-Tech.

The visiting Rams would put up 18 runs on the Bucks in the first inning despite the Bucks allowing only allowing a single base hit. Bucktail pinchers would hit 5 CMVT batters and walk 8 in that inning alone. Combine that with the five errors in the inning and it was quickly a recipe for disaster.

Columbia Montour, who entered the game with victories over Montgomery, defending district champions St. John Neumann and Sugar Valley would tack on four more runs in the top of the second inning. The Bucks offense sputtered throughout the contest.

Kyler Friese reached base on a first inning error, but would be stranded. Friese would do an excellent job in relief as he would move from his starting catcher position to the mound in the first inning. He would be the fourth Bucks’ pitcher to take the mound in the first inning alone. He finished the final two innings, allowing just 4 runs and striking out six Rams’ batters.

Ethan Kalafut would reach base in the second on a throwing error and Ethan Charcalla managed to find his way safely following a fielder’s choice. Again Bucktail failed to cross a runner at the plate.

Trailing 22-0, Bucktail would finally get their first true base hit on a Brett Mason poke through the middle of the infield, but Mason too would be left stranded and would set the final at 22-0 after 3 innings.

The loss is Bucktail’s seventh straight and sixth loss by 10 runs or more during that span. They will be back in action on Thursday on the road at Montgomery. CMVT improved to 4-7 on the year and are now winners of four of their last five contests.