APRIL 22, 2010 - COVINGTON
In a big rivalry between two neighboring schools, no lead is safe.

Covington found that out first hand after building a 6-0 lead on rival Bradford, only to see the visiting Railroaders forge a comeback in the final three innings. Bradford cut the margin to 7-5 in the top of the seventh inning and had the two tying runs on base.

"They (Bradford) started hitting the ball," Covington coach Mitch Hirsch explained. "We walked a couple of batters and hit another that resulted in a run. They got themselves back into the game."

Bradford left both runners stranded as Covington recorded the final out to escape with the win.

"This is a big win because it is Bradford and it's a league win," Hirsch said.

Covington jumped on top early with four runs in the second inning.

Steven Blei led off with a single and then moved to second on a sacrifice by Corey Haines. Dylan Fortner tripled to score Blei and then crossed the plate himself on a Bradford error.

Ben Wilson and Andrew DeHart each followed with singles and then C.J. Poling connected for a base hit to score Wilson.

The final run of the inning came on a Jake Bitner double that scored Poling.

"That was a big inning," said Hirsch. "We hit the ball pretty well tonight. We only struck out twice all night and that was the first two batters of the game."

Covington scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, but squandered a golden opportunity to put more runs on the board as it left the bases loaded.

"We might have been able to put the game away in that inning," Hirsch said. "We had a mental mistake that cost us."

It could have cost Covington the victory as Bradford's bats came alive in the final three innings.

Fortunately for Covington, the Buccaneer defense did a good job in support of starter Jake Stewart, who returned from injury to throw six innings. He struck out seven batters in the effort.

"Jake didn't have his best stuff, but he battled out there," Hirsch said. "This was his first time back and he threw pretty well. We would have liked to let him finish it, but he was up there in pitches, so we took him out."

Brandon Powell came in to record one out in the top of the third and Jake Bitner recorded the final two outs to get the save.

The Buccs improve to 4-11 overall and 3-1 in the CCC.

Covington travels to Franklin Monroe tomorrow.

SCORING BY INNINGS:
Bradford .........0...0...0...0...1...1...3 - 5 .. 6 .. 3
Covington ......0...4...0...2...1...0...x - 7 .. 9 .. 1