The Buccs put Saturday's loss to Minster behind them and move forward with a victory over New Knoxville.

April 23, 2007 - NEW KNOXVILLE
The best way to forget an embarrassing 15-0 loss is to capture a win in the next outing. That's what the Covington Buccaneers did as they defeated New Knoxville 5-4 on the road.

"The kids know they are better than what they showed Saturday," said Covington coach Mitch Hirsch. "It was good for them to just be out on the diamond again and forget about it. We've put Saturday behind us and are looking forward."

It didn't take the Buccs long to get things going as they scored two runs in the top of the first inning.

Darrell Thobe singled and Gene Studebaker followed with a walk. As he has done all season, David Moss came to the plate and connected with runners in scoring position. Moss' base hit scored Thobe and a grounder by Drew Craft scored Studebaker.

After New Knoxville scored a run in the bottom half of the first, Covington scored two more runs in the second.

Brad Plank started things off with a triple. Andy Sparks followed with a double to score Plank and then Moss singled to score Sparks.

Covington's starting pitcher Arliss Clark had a solid outing on the mound until the third inning when New Knoxville loaded the bases. Clarks' evening ended shortly thereafter as the Rangers received a base-clearing double to tie the score at 4-4.

Needing a spark Covington turned to senior Gene Studebaker in relief.

Studebaker pitched the Buccs out of the jam and then followed with four shutout innings - striking out 11, walking none and allowing just one hit.

"Gene really pitched well tonight," Hirsch praised. "We brought him in and he shut the door on them. He basically just threw the ball by them."

With Studebaker controlling the Ranger hitters, the Buccaneers couldn't get its own offense going. Despite hitting the ball on a regular bases, the Buccs just couldn't find the hit that would score a run.

That was until the top of the seventh inning.

Thanks to a little cat-and-mouse, the Buccaneers were able to bring home the winning run on a Jordy Burelison steal of home.

Tyler Kanet led off the seventh with a single and Burelison entered as a pinch runner. He then stole second and Plank walked.

Brian Beckstedt grounded to force out Plank and move Burelison to third.

With runners at the corners, Hirsch used a little trickery to steal the game.

Beckstedt took off as if to steal and baited the Rangers into getting him in a rundown. Meanwhile, Burelison took off for home for the winning run.

Studebaker then closed out the show in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the 5-4 win and pick up the victory.

"We played a very smart and clean game," said Hirsch. "We didn't have any errors and played just a good, solid defensive game."

David Moss continues to hit well in the clutch as he went 2 for 2 with 2 RBI. Darrell Thobe and Brad Plank were 2 for 3 as Plank doubled and tripled.

Andy Sparks also came up big at the plate with two doubles as well.

But it was the pitching of Studebaker that was the story on this afternoon.

"He hasn't pitched much this season, so to do what he did is pretty amazing," Hirsch said. "With all of the cancellations, we just haven't been able to get him on the mound. He came in tonight and really threw the ball well."

The victory improves the Buccaneers record to 9-1 overall as they travel to Mississinawa Valley tomorrow.

Scoring by innings:
Covington ...........2....2....0....0....0....0....1 - 5
New Knoxville .....1....0....3....0....0....0....0 - 4