Lady Bucks home runs send Bucktail back into playoffs for eighth straight season
By Bees O’Brien
BOONEVILLE- There was no real doubt on whether Bucktail would qualify for their eighth straight playoff appearance. The question was more of a when rather than an if.
Bucktail, who were in the midst of a two-game losing streak would take out their frustrations on Sugar Valley in a big way. Bucktail used home runs from Lola English, Eva Sockman and Mak Wagner and pound out 18 hits against Sugar Valley to down a feisty Sugar Valley squad 22-4.
The Lady Phoenix were coming off a huge 19-1 win at Benton a day ago, but the district-leading Lady Bucks provided a stronger opponent.
Bucktail batted around multiple times in the first inning to build an 11-0 lead. The Lady Bucks kept rolling with 10 more runs in the top of the second inning to put the game far out of reach.
Down 21-0, Sugar Valley would not quit. A 2 RBI double from Ellynn Scarborough and runs from Olivia Johnson, Dakota Holdren, Olivia Clester and Lyla Breon would get the Booneville crowd on their feet in the bottom of the second inning.
Wagner’s solo shot set the final at 22-4, as Bucktail upped their mark to 10-2 on the season. The loss put Sugar Valley’s overall record at 3-10.
English’s home run was a three-run shot that scored Matti Mason and Riley Salizzonni. Sockman’s long ball was a grand slam that scored English, Wagner and Makenna Stone. Sockman finished her day with 8 runs batted in.
Scarborough’s second inning double was the lone hit for Sugar Valley.
Mak Wagner, Kendall Wagner and Sockman all collected three hits each, as did Gigi Balchun. Makenna Stone and Alexa Lowery both delivered two-hit performances, while Matti Mason delivered a double. Riley Salizzonni also had a single for the Lady Bucks.
Bucktail will now meet their third state playoff team in their past four games when they host 10-2 South Williamsport on Wednesday. Last season South reached the PIAA 2A semifinals before being ousted by Bald Eagle Area.
