April 16, 2009 - New Paris
The Covington Buccaneers took advantage of 16 hits and eight National Trail errors to run rule the Blazers 16-3 in six innings on Thursday.

"We struggled with the bats the past couple of games, but we broke out today," said Covington coach Mitch Hirsch. "Even though we didn't have any extra base hits, we still hit the ball well."

And after a sluggish first inning for starting pitcher Kyle Kanet, the Buccs received outstanding pitching and defense over the remainder of the contest.

"We had the long at bat in the first inning with the two runs, so Kyle came in a little cold," Hirsch explained. "He walked a couple of batters and hit another. They were able to get a couple of hits and tie the score."

But once Kanet found his groove he had Trail batters guessing. He followed with three scoreless innings until allowing a run in the fifth.

"After Kyle settled down, he threw really well," Hirsch said. "He hit his spots and never gave them much to hit."

With Kanet in control on the mound, the Buccaneer hitters rattled three Blazer pitchers for fourteen more runs in the next five innings.

"After they came back and tied it 2-2 in the bottom of the first we really jumped on them," Hirsch said. "And once we got them down, we kept them down."

Kyle Kanet and Andy Sparks were 3-for-3 with a combined six RBI, four by Kanet and two by Sparks.

Logan Woloch was 4-for-5, while Nate Lavey was 2-for-5.

"We had eight of our nine starters get hits tonight, which is what you want to see," said Hirsch. "When you have everyone contributing like that it makes you tough to beat."

Which is what Covington has been so far this season and its record improves to 9-1-1.

And with road trip to perennial CCC power Tri-County North tomorrow, Hirsch hopes his team remains hard to beat.

"They (Tri-County North) are good, so we'll be ready to play," said Hirsch. "They're always one of the top teams in the league, so the kids will be up for that game. It should be a good one.

Scoring by Innings:
Covington ...............2...3...1...4...0...6...x - 16 - 16 - 0
National Trail .........2...0...0...0...1...0...x - 3 - 4 - 8