Raiders’ Persing pitches, hits Montgomery over Bucktail
FARWELL, PA – It was a softball game of two solid teams going at it at Bucktail High School Wednesday, the anticipated rematch between Mid-Penn Conference powers Bucktail and Montgomery. The game more than lived up to its billing and visiting Montgomery made the plays and got the hits when needed, heading home with a hard-earned 7-3 victory.
For Bucktail it was only the second loss in a 12-2 season, both to defending District 4 champion Montgomery. The Lady Raiders moved to 13-2 on the season, their only losses to larger school foes South Williamsport and Jersey Shore.
Montgomery’s star player, Faith Persing, was a standout in the circle and at the plate. The Bloomsburg University-bound senior went the distance to earn the win: seven innings, seven hits and three runs, while striking out seven and walking one. At the plate she was equally impressive, a 4-for-5 day with two singles, a double, a triple, two runs scored and an RBI.
But Bucktail did not go quietly. The teams traded runs early on, Bucktail leading 3-2 after three. Montgomery regained the lead with two in the fourth to make it 4-3 and added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh for a 7-3 lead. Persing would retire Bucktail 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning to secure the win.
Even in defeat, Bucktail did some things really well. Mak Wagner was a demon on defense from her shortstop position, including grabbing a groundball, followed by a clutch tag-out of a runner going to third for the third out to end a Montgomery bid to break things open in the first inning.
Down by one, Bucktail drew even in the bottom of the first as Jordan Burrows opened the inning with a line-drive single for her 86th career hit surpassing the current school record; she stole second, advanced to third, and scored on a ground-out. Bucktail scored its final two runs in the third: with two outs, Burrows lined her second single to center field, followed by a single from Haley Burrows. Wagner brought them both in with a double to center, the Lady Bucks back on top at 3-2.
Bucktail just missed a golden opportunity in the bottom of the fourth. They loaded the bases on an error, a Raileigh Isaacs single and a walk to Kayla Probert. Jordan Burrows lofted a ball just beyond the infield but Lady Raider Sloan Wooten made the difficult catch to end the inning. Later Bucktail Coach Mike Poorman called the Wooten play “a game changer.”
Even in defeat, Bucktail challenged Persing with their seven hits, their most against the Montgomery ace in multiple meetings over the years. But her defense was equal to the task, making the plays when needed.
Wagner finished with a double and a single and two RBIs, Jordan Burrows with two singles and Haley Burrows, Maddie Mason and Issacs with one each.
Emma Poorman went the first five innings in the circle for Bucktail, giving up nine hits, seven runs, striking out five and walking three. Wagner pitched two shutout innings in relief.
It was Senior Day at Bucktail, what Coach Poorman said was an emotional day for him. He saluted his daughter Emma and her senior teammates who he said “created a culture that I don’t know that’s ever been here” and expressed the hope that the recent program successes will continue on. Other seniors recognized before the game were Jordan Burrows, Raileigh Isaacs and Julie Green, the latter injured and unable to finish the season, and manager Nicole Embick.
The coach complimented Montgomery as “as a great team with a nice, competitive rivalry” with his Bucktail squad. As to a potential meeting in the District 4 playoffs later this month, he said, “We’ll play our best ball we can and see where we end up.”
Next up is a visit from Muncy (11-2) on Thursday. The Muncy game will see the conclusion of their 1-1 tie game that will start in the top of the tenth inning. Their regularly scheduled game will follow the conclusion of that game. The first pitch for the Muncy game is slated for 4 p.m. and will be streamed on The Record Online.
M 1 1 0 2 0 3 0 = 7-9-1
B 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 = 3-7-3
