April 12, 2008 – RUSSIA
Covington coach Mitch Hirsch and his Buccaneers are having fun playing baseball.

And it showed Saturday as Covington run-ruled Russia 13-0 in five innings, its third straight victory by the combined score of 50-2.

"This is so much fun," said Hirsch in regards to the past seven games in which the Buccs posted a 5-2 record. "The kids are enjoying every minute of it. They are playing loose and relaxed because they are having fun playing baseball. It's refreshing to see."

The Buccaneer fun started with the opening batter as freshman Jake Bitner drilled a soaring home run over the left field fence. It was Bitner's second in as many games.

"What a way to start it off," said Hirsch. "I was a little worried with the cold and the wind that this would be a miserable day. The weather was miserable, but Jake made everyone on our side forget about the weather."

Two batters later Kyle Kanet singled and David Moss followed with another Buccaneer homer to put Covington on top 3-0. It was also the second home run for Moss in consecutive games. It also gave Covington five home runs in two games and seven for the year.

"We're hitting the ball very well right now," Hirsch said. "David struggled a little earlier in the season, but he's come on and found his stroke at the plate."

The next at bat for Moss nearly broke the game open in the second inning. The senior launched a towering shot into right field, but the wind held it up for an out.

"That second one was a shot now," said Hirsch. "The wind was blowing about 30 miles-per-hour and held it in the ball park, but on any other day it would have been gone."

Still, Covington kept swinging the bats and scored five runs in the second and five more in the fifth to record a 13-0 shutout victory.

The Buccs recorded eleven hits along the way and Hirsch attributes his team's recent success at the plate to finally being able to get outside.

"We only had one practice outside before the season started," explained Hirsch. "It's nearly impossible to find a rhythm at the plate by hitting in the batting cage. Once were able to get outside we've started to hit the ball better."

The Buccaneers have received solid pitching and defense the entire season and Saturday was no different.

Andy Sparks pitched a one-hitter, while striking out eight batters and walking just two.

"Andy was one out from a no-hitter," Hirsch said. "Their number nine hitter broke it with a single, but he pitched really well."

Spark's performance was gratifying as he overcame a severe blister to a finger on his throwing hand in his last outing on April 5th against Lehman.

"We were going to throw him last night against National Trail, but it was cancelled," Hirsch stated. "He had an extra day of rest, which probably helped considering it was so cold out today."

David Moss led Covington with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, including a home run, double and six runs-batted-in.

Jake Bitner also recorded a home run and 2 RBI, while Kayle Kanet went 2-for-4.

The Buccs improve to 5-2 and look to keep the fun going on Monday at home against New Bremen.

Scoring by Innings:
Covington .....3....0....5....0....5 - 13 .. 11 .. 1
Russia ...........0....0....0....0....0 - 5 ...... 1 .. 2