Bucktail Battles Early, Honors Seniors in Loss to West Branch
FARWELL – The Bucktail baseball team hosted West Branch on Thursday evening, using the occasion to honor four senior players—Ethan Kalafut, Gary Whipp, Ethan Charcalla, and Talan Ditty—for their contributions to the program.
The Bucks came out with energy and played three strong innings of baseball, matching West Branch early on. The Warriors opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the first and added another in the third inning by stealing home. Bucktail got on the board scoring one run in the first.
The Bucks then responded in the bottom of the third, tying the game 4-4 thanks to a big RBI single from Kalafut. However, West Branch’s bats came alive late, scoring five in the fourth, one in the fifth, and three more in the sixth to pull away for a 13-4 win.
Teagan Stone led Bucktail at the plate with two hits, while Kalafut, Gavin Pick, and Nick Dennis each had one. Keller Friese added a double to round out the Bucks’ six-hit performance.
Kalafut started on the mound, pitching three innings and allowing eight hits and seven runs while walking three and striking out one. Friese took over in relief, tossing four innings and giving up five hits, four runs, two walks, and striking out four.
Bucktail will next be in action Tuesday visiting CMVT.
