Weaver shuts out Bucktail in 12-0 Senior Day win

By Bees O’Brien

LOCK HAVEN- Sugar Valley entered their Senior Day activities having lost all of their previous 13 games, but there’s always been some hidden magic that takes place when the Bucks go to Taggert Park. A season ago Bucktail was ambushed 13-3 at the Taggert and Wednesday night was a mirror image of the 2023 meeting between the Bucks and the Phoenix.

Sugar Valley pitcher Cayden Weaver would throw a five-inning 12-0 shutout victory over Bucktail to give the Phoenix their first win of 2024. Weaver wasn’t by any means dominant, but his defense did what Bucktail’s defense couldn’t do, get outs.

The Bucks managed a dismal 5 base hits in the shortened mercy rule game, while committing 6 errors.

Bucktail had their chance in the top of the first inning. Singles from Braylon Fantaski and Brett Mason would to know where following fielder’s choice outs and base running miscues.

Sugar Valley began to mount up runs in bulk in the bottom of the second inning. Senior Levi Galentine would deliver a base knock that would score Jarren McCloskey to start the Phoenix rally. A Sam Goldsmith double would extend SVRC lead to 5-0. The Phoenix would cross another run before the smoke cleared in the Bucktail defensive front.

Ethan Charcalla and Tyler Hillyer tried to get the Bucks going in the top of the third inning, but their back to back singles would go nowhere and the Phoenix defense would stiffen up.

Weaver would make an impact with his bat in the bottom of the third inning. He would score a pair of runs on a 2 RBI single and eventually scored on a wild pitch to give Sugar Valley a 9-0 lead.

Fellow senior Lance Winchester would get in on the act later in the inning. Winchester’s double off of Keller Friese would score a pair of Phoenix baserunners. Winchester himself would later score on a past ball to give the Phoenix the 12-0 victory.

Sugar Valley will next be in action on Friday when they host St. John Neumann. Bucktail’s next game will be a Saturday afternoon trip to District 9’s Northern Potter.