Lady Bucks lock up playoff spot with 12-2 win at Montgomery

By Bees O’Brien

MONTGOMERY, PA- For the sixth consecutive season, Bucktail softball is going to the PIAA District 4 1A playoffs. A streak that began in 2017 and has seen the Lady Bucks capture the 2019 district title and a state playoff berth was extended on Wednesday in dominating fashion, a 12-2 win.

Since 2017 it’s always been a battle between Bucktail and Montgomery. They’ve become bitter rivals, but at the same time have developed a sense of respect for each other over the seasons.

The Lady Bucks put together some offensive lightning in the top of the first. Mak Wagner started a two-out rally with a base hit that would see Bucktail scorch the Lady Red Raiders for 7 runs. They would add two more runs in the second inning and a 3-run third inning would put them up 12-0.

Wagner remained unhittable until the fourth inning. Montgomery would manage a hit and plate a run in the bottom of the fourth and add another run in the fifth inning, but it wouldn’t be enough to extend the game and set the final at 12-2, in favor of Bucktail.

Montgomery never quit and very much knows that this could very well be a preview of the District 4 1A final later this month. Montgomery currently holds the second-place spot behind Bucktail in the district standings. It’s been an impressive feat for the defending 1A State Champions, who lost eight starters from that championship team.

The loss has the Lady Red Raiders at 8-5 on the season.

Bucktail has now won nine games in a row following their Mid Penn win and are 10-2 on the season.

Makenna Stone led the Bucktail hitting machine by going 3 for 3. Kayla Probert was also perfect at the plate, going 2 for 2 with a double. Lola English collected a pair of hits, including a triple. Mak Wagner, Kendall Wagner, Eva Sockman, Alexis Lowrey and Matti Mason also had hits for the Lady Bucks. Lowrey’s hit was a triple. Sockman and Kendall Wagner each had doubles.10 different Lady Bucks would cross the plate in the win.

Bucktail will now host Muncy (13-1) Thursday in Farwell in a battle that will determine the 2023 Mid Penn Conference champions. The game will be broadcast on The Record Online with the first pitch set for 4:30 p/m.