APRIL 28, 2010 - COVINGTON
After Tuesday's lackluster effort in a 4-0 loss to Mississinawa Valley, Covington coach laid everything on the line to his young baseball team prior to a critical Cross County Conference matchup against Bethel.

"Last night was horrible," Hirsch said. "We talked to the kids before the game tonight and told them they had two choices. We could pack it in and throw the season away or we could commit ourselves to playing each game the way we are capable of playing."

For one night at least, the Buccs responded with an inspiring 9-0 victory over Bethel.

"The kids responded," Hirsch said. "This was more like Sunday when we played St. Henry. We played like we wanted to be there and like we expected to win."

It's the mental aspect of the game the young Buccs are learning.

"We can be as good as we want to be," Hirsch continued. "We have to believe we are going to win every time out."

Covington jumped on Bethel early with two runs in the bottom of the second and then broke the game open with a five-run fifth inning.

Meanwhile, junior Jake Bitner was in a zone on the mound, holding Bethel scoreless throughout the contest. He only allowed five hits in the contest, while striking out seven batters and not giving up any walks.

"Jake threw really well tonight, probably the best he's thrown all year," praised Hirsch. "His curveball was on and he was locating his pitches very well."

While Bitner kept the Bethel hitters in check, the Buccaneer offense put two more runs on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning for the 9-0 win.

Ben Wilson had a perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with an RBI. Steven Blei drove in two runs on a double, while Christian Carder singled to drive in two more runs.

Also driving in runs were Adam Craft and Corey Haines.

"Our seven, eight and nine hitters went a combined 6-for-9," Hirsch explained. "That's huge. When you can get those guys on and into the top of the order, you'll score a lot of runs."

Which Covington did Wednesday night in improving to 6-14 overall and 4-3 in the CCC.

But Hirsch is well aware that he could see a different Covington team tomorrow at Newton.

"We have to stay focused because we can be beat by anybody if we are not focused and ready to play," he said. "It's all up to the kids. We (the coaches) can't hit for them. We can't play defense for them. The kids have to do it. They know how to play. It's up to them to do it."

SCORING BY INNINGS:
Bethel ...............0...0...0...0...0...0...0 - 0 - 5 - 1
Covington ........2...0...0...5...0...2...x - 9 - 12 - 1