Lady Bucks fall 9-8 in thriller with West Branch

By Bees O/Brien

FARWELL, PA- It was a wild slugfest in Farwell on Thursday evening when West Branch made the trip down the mountain from Allport to face the host Lady Bucks.

Both teams combined for 17 runs and 23 hits. Bucktail would fall behind early against the Lady Warriors and could never overcome the deficit resulting in a 9-8 home loss.

West Branch lived up to their hype and slugged their way to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Bucktail had plenty of chances throughout the game, including a bases loaded situation in their half of the first, but would leave runners stranded. This would be a theme through the contest.

The Lady Warriors extended their lead to 5-0 following their top half of the third inning. West Branch starting pitcher Kammy Mactavish would launch a shot off Lady Bucks starting pitcher Mak Wagner over the left-centerfield fence.

Bucktail began to battle back. Two runs in the bottom of the third inning and two more the following inning narrowed the visitor’s lead to 5-4.

The Lady Warriors would strike again in their half of the fifth inning by plating 4 runs. Bucktail would match that total in their half of the inning and trail 9-8.

That score would hold as neither team would score again.

Bucktail would strand a total of 12 runners on base despite collecting 12 hits in the contest.

Mactavish would strike out 7 Bucktail hitters in just 4 and 2/3 innings of work.

Wagner would go four innings in the circle and pick up the loss. Makenna Stone would finish out the final 3 innings of work for Bucktail, striking out 3 batters and allowing no runs.

Wagner had the hot bat for the Lady Bucks by going 4 for 5 with a double, 2 runs scored and a pair of RBI’s. Eva Sockman had another great day at the plate for Bucktail by going 3 for 5 with 3 RBI’s and a run scored. Lily Francis also had a multiple hit day by going 2 for 3 and an RBI.

Haley Burrows connected on a double, while Lola English and Matti Mason each had singles for Bucktail.
The loss by the Lady Bucks was their first non-conference regular season loss since 2019 when Cowanesque Valley defeated them in Farwell.

Now 1-2, Bucktail will next be in action on Tuesday when they host Sugar Valley Rural Charter and then they’ll be back in action on Wednesday afternoon with a trip to Williamsport to square off with St. John Neumann.