April 7, 2008 – SPRINGFIELD
The Covington Buccaneers dropped their second straight game after a 2-0 start to the season as Springfield North handed them a 9-6 defeat.

"We were intimidated in the first couple of innings," said Covington coach Mitch Hirsch. "But once the kids realized they could play with these guys, we played pretty well."

The intimidation factor of playing a larger school was on display as Springfield North scored four runs in the first inning.

"They hit a slow roller down the third base line that we hesitated on and then we had an error," Hirsch described. "If we get those two outs we're out of the inning."

North added another run in the third and four more in the sixth to take a 9-0 lead.

But Covington battled back with two runs in the fifth and four in the seventh.

Logan Woloch reach first base to start the sixth as he was hit by a pitch.

Darrell Thobe reached on an error and Kyle Kanet followed with a single to score Woloch.

With just one out Nate Lavey then singled to drive in Thobe. But Covington left two runners stranded.

"We had runners on first and second with one out and couldn't get them in," Hirsch said. "We have to do a better job of hitting with runners in scoring position. It's hurt us the past two games."

Ben Christian led off the seventh with a single and Andy Sparks put runners on first and second with another base hit.

Logan Woloch walk loaded the bases for Darrell Thobe, who reached on another North error to score both Christian and Sparks.

Kyle Kanet singled to score Woloch and Nate Lavey followed with an RBI by scoring Thobe.

But it was too little, too late as North held on for the win.

"The kids have to get it in their heads that they can beat anybody," Hirsch said. "We showed we can play with this team. We just started too slow because we were intimidated by playing a D1 school."

David Moss started the game and pitched three innings.

Kyle Kanet pitched an inning and two-thirds, while Ben Christian followed with an inning and one-third.

Kanet went 2-for-4 and drove in 2 runs, while Nate Lavey also had 2 RBI.

The Buccaneer trio combined to strike out four.

Covington (2-2) begins Cross County Conference action at home on Wednesday against Mississinawa Valley.

Scoring by Innings:
Covington ..................0...0...0...0...0...2...4 - 6 .. 7 .. 1
Springfield North ......4...0...1...0...4...0...x - 9 .. 10 .. 2