Neumann inches closer to playoff berth with 12-2 win over Bucks

By Bees O’Brien

WILLIAMSPORT, PA- St. John Neumann is fighting for that coveted .500 record to qualify for the District 4 1A baseball playoffs and on Thursday they showed their hunger by downing Bucktail 12-2. Neumann struggled with Bucktail in the season opener in Farwell, nearly losing that game late but would hold on 8-7 for the win.

This one began to take the form of their early season clash with the Bucks jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Neumann quickly responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first and a 4-run second inning would blow the game open.

The Knights led 5-1 heading into their half of the fourth inning and would add three more in that frame before forcing the mercy rule with three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to set the 12-2 final.

The win put St. John Neumann at 6-7 on the season, four wins away from locking up a playoff spot. Aiden Vogt allowed just two hits in 5 innings of work, while fanning 7 Bucktail batters.

Braylon Fantaski and Brett Mason collected the only two hits for the Bucks.

Bucktail fell to 1-9 and will next be in action at home Saturday against Columbia Montour Vo-Tech.