Montgomery uses big first inning to down Bucktail baseball, 17-0

By Bees O’Brien

MONTGOMERY, PA – Just as visiting Bucktail unloaded from their bus and began to go through their pregame warmups, the skies began to open up and dump rain on the baseball field at Montgomery. Poor weather has been the case during the course of past five days and it continued Tuesday at Montgomery.

There were real doubts on whether or not this Mid Penn Conference West Division meeting was going to take place. Game officials and both squads agreed to play on, rather than send the Bucks back to Clinton County without getting the game in.

The host Red Raiders very much wanted to get this game in because of their current pursuit and positioning in the District 4 2A playoffs. A win would give them eight on the season and pull them to within two victories of qualifying for a playoff spot in a busy classification that features powerhouses South Williamsport and Muncy.

Montgomery wasted little time in jumping out to a quick and commanding lead.

The Bucks started off well when Kyler Friese had a hard hit to shortstop and beat out the throw. He would eventually reach second base but would end up being left stranded. The Bucktail junior catcher would be the only Buck batter to reach base in the contest in what would be his only at bat.

The Red Raiders had much better success against Bucktail pitching and defense. Montgomery would cross 16 runs in their half of the first inning and score another run in the bottom of the second inning. They would need just two at bats to compile the 17-0 win and move to 8-4 on the season.

The loss dropped Bucktail to 1-9 and has officially eliminated them from a postseason appearance. They will next be in action at home on Thursday against conference leading Muncy (8-4), before hosting these same Red Raiders on Friday. Game time for both contests is set for 4:30 p.m.