Bucktail Uses Big Third Inning to Down Sugar Valley
FARWELL – In a matchup of Clinton County baseball programs, Bucktail came out on top with an 8-6 win over visiting Sugar Valley Rural Charter School on Friday.
Bucktail scored early and used a big third inning to hold off the Phoenix, improving their record with solid team hitting and strong pitching. The Bucks plated three runs in the first and added five more in the third to build a lead they wouldn’t surrender.
Sugar Valley struck first with two runs in the opening inning and added three more in the second, but Bucktail’s pitching settled in to hold the Phoenix scoreless over the final three innings.
Bucktail’s offense was led by Ethan Kalafut, who had a huge day at the plate, collecting three hits, including two doubles and a single. Keller Freise added two hits, while Ethan Charcalla chipped in with two hits, including a double. Teagan Stone, Tyler Hillyer, Gary Whipp, and Gavin Pick each had a hit as well.
On the mound, Freise started for the Bucks, going 5.1 innings, allowing 3 hits, 6 runs, walking 6 and striking out 12. Xander Shearer came on in relief, walking two and striking out two to help seal the win.
For Sugar Valley, Brody Swanger, Bentley Andrus, and Lincoln Breon, who hit a triple, accounted for the team’s three hits. Swanger took the loss on the mound, pitching 2.2 innings and allowing 8 hits, 8 runs, with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. Layden Bryan pitched 3.1 innings of relief, allowing 2 hits and striking out 5.
Bucktail (1-1) will return to action Monday when they host St. John Neumann. Sugar Valley (0-3) will continue their search for their first win of the season on Monday at East Juniata.
Box Score
Sugar Valley – 2, 3, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0 – 6 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors
Bucktail – 3, 0, 5, 0, 0, 0, X – 8 runs, 10 hits, 1 error
