Poorman’s perfect game sends Bucktail to fifth straight postseason
By Bees O’Brien
BOONEVILLE, PA – When Bucktail head coach Mike Poorman and assistant coaches Chuck Cross and Roy Cowfer took over the Lady Bucks softball program, there was very little success. The Bucktail program was one that suffered a great deal of losing seasons through their first 30-plus years. Playoffs were never even a goal that seemed attainable. This was a team that very rarely lost by the 15-run rule. It was usually between 25 to 30 run defeats. That was the norm and the culture for the Lady Bucks softball program.
Coach Poorman and his staff have since completely revamped the program. Bucktail had never had a winning season, let alone a playoff appearance. Five seasons ago that all changed with their first of four straight and their 16-0 Tuesday victory at Sugar Valley clinched Bucktail’s fifth straight postseason appearance.
Emma Poorman was perfect and by perfect, pitching a perfect game. The Bucktail senior went the complete 3 innings by striking out all nine batters she faced and a rejuvenated Bucktail offense lashed out their frustrations on the Phoenix by blistering 14 hits in just 3 at bats.
It was a redemption game of sorts for Bucktail (10-1), coming off their first loss on Friday night to Montgomery 11-1. Sugar Valley (0-12) didn’t come close to having the same quality pitching from the circle that Montgomery threw at Bucktail, but none the less it was a game to get back into their offensive groove.
The Lady Bucks started off hot in the first by crossing 5 runs. They added 6 runs in the second and scored 5 in the top of the third inning to set the 16-0 final.
Seven different Lady Bucks collected a pair of hits each. Jordan Burrows, Haley Burrows, Mak Wagner, Emma Poorman, Matti Mason, Raileigh Isaacs and Alexis Lowery each had two hits. Poorman and Isaacs each had doubles with Isaacs knocking in 4 runs. Bucktail also stole 11 bases on the Phoenix.
The Lady Bucks are set to make the long trip to MPC East Division leading Northwest on Thursday, postponed from Wednesday of this week. The 9-3 Lady Rangers suffered their first conference loss to Muncy on Monday, 21-3.
Bucktail joined Cowanesque Valley (12-3) and Northeast Bradford (10-1) as teams that have qualified thus far for the District 4 1A playoffs. Montgomery can qualify later this week. Canton and Millville can also reach playoffs with strong finishes to their seasons.
