Lady Bucks run over Neumann 16-1, meet future Lady Bucks
By Bees O’Brien
FARWELL, PA- The atmosphere in Farwell on Thursday was electric, as their beloved Lady Bucks played in their final game of the season at their home field.
For seniors Haley Burrows, Kayla Probert, Lily Francis and Abby Miller this would be the last time they graced the field at Bucktail High School. They would leave a lasting impression in a very special way.
St. John Neumann entered the Mid Penn Conference clash fresh off of their playoff clinching win over Millville the previous night and was looking to build momentum for next week’s playoffs. Bucktail showed the visiting Lady Knights why they will be the top seed in next week’s District IV 1A playoffs.
Lola English and Haley Burrows would start the Bucktail first inning off with a pair of walks. English would score when Mak Wagner reached base on an error and Burrows would be driven in by Eva Sockman, who also reached on an error. The Lady Bucks would rough up Neumann starting pitcher Lily Reed for 5 runs in the first inning.
The Bucktail defense would hold Neumann again in the second inning, before an offensive outburst in their half of the second inning.
Mak Wagner and Sockman would begin the Bucktail hit parade with a single and a double. Makenna Stone would draw one of 16 free passes allowed by Lady Knight pitchers in the game. Matti Mason would knock in Wagner and a Kayla Probert walk would give Bucktail the 7-0 lead.
Senior Abby Miller made the most of her final outing in Farwell with a 2 RBI double and Probert would come home on a passed ball to lift the Bucktail lead to 10-0.
Mak Wagner would rocket a double that would score two more Bucktail runs to lift the lead to 12-0.
St. John Neumann would plate a run in the top of the third inning, but the home standing Lady Bucks countered with 2 of their own. It would be Miller yet again for Bucktail as she would deliver her second hit of the game on an RBI single.
Bucktail would add two more runs in their half of the fourth inning to set the final at 16-1.
Mak Wagner led Bucktail with 4 hits, including a double and 3 RBI’s. Abby Miller finished with a double and a single, while collecting 3 RBI’s. Eva Sockman and Matti Mason also collected hits. Senior Kayla Probert would score a run and have an RBI. Haley Burrows, playing in her final game in Farwell would score a pair of runs and have an RBI. Lily Francis scored a run in her Farwell finale.
Bucktail finished the regular season at 14-4 and have mathematically secured the top seed in next week’s playoffs. They will possibly meet these same Lady Knights, or possibly Sullivan County. They will face the winners of the Neumann vs. Sullivan quarterfinal game.
Canton and Montgomery will meet in the other semifinal. Both semifinals are slated to take place at Elm Park in Williamsport.
The Lady Bucks also had the honor of meeting Renovo’s Minor A Tannery Hill Arms softball team. The youth softball team were more than excited to meet their heroes and the Bucktail squad welcomed them with open arms following the game and even autographed a softball for each girl.
Most girls that age have their favorite superheroes. Wonder Woman, Black Widow, Captain Marvel, but not these young ladies. Their heroes are the Lady Bucks and they all have dreams of someday donning the Cherry & White and being able to have the honor of being a Lady Buck.
