APRIL 15, 2010 - COVINGTON
The Covington baseball team has had its share of struggles through the first eleven games, losing nine of them and being run ruled three times. But all along Covington coach Mitch Hirsch has kept the faith as he has seen steady improvement from his young baseball team.

And that improvement all came together Thursday evening in a 15-5 run rule victory over long-time nemesis Tri-County North that took just five innings to compete.

"We haven't beaten them in four or five years," an obviously pleased Hirsch said. "It's always close, but we haven't been able to beat them until tonight."

Which made the victory so much sweater for Covington.

"It is (a great win)," Hirsch agreed. "The kids were fired up tonight, more so than I've seen them. We got rolling and never let up."

After a scoreless first inning, the visiting Panthers broke the ice with a run in the top of the second.

But Covington came right back with four runs in the bottom of the inning and followed with a breakout eight-run inning in the bottom of the third for a 12-2 lead.

"We hit the ball hard tonight, harder than we have all year," Hirsch explained. "Even on the outs, we hit the ball really hard."

Adam Craft was stellar on the mound for Covington, allowing the Panthers just two runs heading into the top of the fifth inning.

But with a chance to end the contest, Craft saw three runs go on the board on a bases loaded double with two outs.

"Adam really wanted to end it in the top of the fifth," said Hirsch. "But the kids had his back. It's good to see the kids pick each other up."

Covington loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth and scored a run on an infield single by Corey Haines. Dylan Fortner then ended the contest with one swing, a two-run single to left field.

"It was nice to see the kids come back after they scored the three runs like they did," Hirsch said. "A lot of times this year we fell apart after giving up a couple of runs, but the kids kept the pressure on tonight."

Craft only allowed four hits in recording the victory. He helped himself out at the plate with a double, a triple and two RBI.

C.J. Poling went 3-4 with two RBI, while Dylan Fortner went 2-4 with a double and three RBI, two coming on the walk-off single.

In all, Covington recorded 12 hits on the afternoon.

"We had a good practice yesterday," Hirsch stated. "The kids were focused and working hard. It carried over to tonight."

Covington improves to 3-9 on the season and 2-1 in the CCC.

The Buccs travel to Twin Valley South tomorrow.

SCORING BY INNINGS:
Tri-County North ............0...1...1...0...3 - 5 .. 4 .. 5
Covington ........................0...4...8...0...3 - 15 .. 12 .. 3