Wagner puts the freeze on Phoenix bats in season opener, 15-0
By Bees O’Brien
FARWELL, PA – Strong winds, frigid temps and scattered snow showers were far from ideal softball conditions, but after nearly a week of postponed games Bucktail finally got the chance to begin their highly anticipated season. They didn’t let down their most hardcore fans that braved the conditions in Farwell on Friday afternoon.
Sugar Valley Rural Charter was the first team to step up to the daunting task of facing an explosive and talented Lady Bucks squad.
The Phoenix were coming off a 26-0 loss at Muncy earlier in the week and had hoped that their prior contest would help them gain an edge against the perennial District 4 powers, but pitcher Mak Wagner had other plans.
Wagner dazzled Sugar Valley batters through three innings of work and would toss a no-hitter while fanning seven of the ten batters she would face.
The Lady Bucks offense would heat up the local crowd too. Bucktail would pound out 14 hits and knock off the visiting Phoenix 15-0 in a 3 inning game that took just 50 minutes to complete.
McKeague led things off for Sugar Valley in the top of the first inning with a walk, but it would be their last base runner of the game. Wagner got in a groove and quickly silenced Sugar Valley’s lone chance to score.
It was now the Phoenix’s chance to face a tall task of stopping a Bucktail team that likes to score runs, a lot of them too. They tallied an unbelievable 248 runs last season and this season could very well be the same.
Jordan Burrows started things off for Bucktail and her niece Haley Burrows would knock her aunt in with a triple. Haley’s first of two triples in the contest would lead to her being eventually knocked in by Wagner with an inside the park home run. Wagner reached third base before a Sugar Valley defender even touched the ball. She then trotted in for the score.
The Lady Bucks weren’t done in their first at bat of the 2022 season.
Following two straight outs, Bucktail’s Alexis Lowery began another rally when she reached base on an infield single. Raileigh Isaacs would then be hit by a pitch. Both Isaacs and Lowery would advance into scoring position on a past ball.
This would bring up freshman Matti Mason. Mason would rocket a double scoring both Lowery and Isaacs in her debut at bat in a Lady Bucks varsity uniform.
Bucktail (1-0, 1-0) led 5-0 after one inning and following another strong inning in the circle from Wagner, it was time once again for the Lady Bucks offense to strike.
A pair of hits from Haley Burrows and hits from Emma Poorman, Raileigh Isaacs, Matti Mason, Kayla Probert and Jordan Burrows helped cross 8 runs for Bucktail in the bottom of the second inning and swell their lead to 13-0 heading into the third inning.
Wagner mowed down the side and the Lady Bucks headed into the third inning with a chance to end the game in quick fashion.
Isaacs led off the inning with her second single of the afternoon and Giada Demarte followed that up with a single of her own. Both she and Isaacs would advance into scoring position, which allowed for them both to score on a Kayla Probert stand up double to set the final.
Haley Burrows led Bucktail with 3 hits and 3 RBI’s. Isaacs, Jordan Burrows and Matti Mason each collected a pair of hits for Bucktail. Mason’s 2 for 2 day and a 3 RBI outing also included a perfect two for two on put outs at second base in her varsity debut.
Bucktail is set to host a pair of games next week. Monday Benton comes to town and on Friday the Lady Bucks will host St. John Neumann. Both games are set to begin at 4:30 p.m..
Sugar Valley (0-2, 0-2) is set to face St. John Neumann on Wednesday in Williamsport.
Sugar Valley 0 0 0 = 0
Bucktail 5 8 3 = 15
Top Hitters For Bucktail- Haley Burrows 3 for 3 3 RBI 2 Runs, Mason 2 for 2 3 RBI 1 Run, Probert 2 for 2 3 RBI 1 Run, Jordan Burrows 2 for 3 RBI 2 Runs, Wagner 1 for 2 2 RBI HR 2 Runs, Poorman 1 for 2 RBI Run,, Isaacs 2 for 2 RBI Run, Lowery 1 for 3 Run, Demarte 1 for 1 Run, Francis Run
