Hard-working Bucks fall at Montgomery 18-3

By Bees O’Brien

MONTGOMERY, PA – The Bucktail baseball team continued to give it their all on the road at Montgomery Thursday night. The Bucks were one night removed from a 22-0 loss to Columbia Montour Vo-Tech. Bucktail surrendered 18 runs in the first inning of that game, but ever so slightly there was in fact improvements from that game.

They lost their first game against the Red Raiders 22-0, so when they jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, heads began to turn.

Hits from Kyler Friese, Kayden Friese and Tristan Probst would eventually lead to them scoring. A hit from Ethan Kalafut would knock in an RBI and the upset watch was on. Both Friese brothers’ hits were doubles.

Montgomery (5-5) quickly eliminated doubts with a 5-run bottom of the first to take the 5-3 lead on Bucktail (1-8).

Bucktail was still very much in the game until the wheels came off in the bottom of the second inning. The Red Raiders would go on a huge 9-run rally to erase any chance of an upset.

Up 14-3, Montgomery would tack on four more runs in the bottom of the third to force the 15-run mercy rule and set the final at 18-3. It was the fifth 15-run loss during their current 8-game losing streak.

Kyler Friese, Kayden Friese, Probst, Kalafut and Ashton Intallura all collected hits for Bucktail. Montgomery was held to 8 base hits, as Bucktail’s 7 errors and 8 walks contributed to the Red Raiders’ high run total. The Bucks pitchers also hit 4 batters.

Bucktail will be back at it on Monday when they travel to Millville (4-6) and Wednesday when they look to defeat Sugar Valley (0-11) on the road. The Phoenix was Bucktail’s only win in their opening day battle, a 12-11 Buck win. They will return home next Saturday, May 7 to host District 4-leading Benton (8-2) for an early 11 a.m. start.