MAY 20, 2010 - SIDNEY
The final run by Russia in the bottom of the sixth inning told the entire story of an 11-1 run-rule victory for the Raiders in the sectional final at Sidney Lehman High School.

Russia hit a hard shot to left field and Covington's Corey Haines threw to his relay man C.J. Poling, who immediately launched a perfect strike to catcher Ben Wilson at the plate. Wilson put the tag on the Russia runner, but the ball bounced out of Wilson's glove as the game-ending run scored.

"Our kids played hard," said Covington coach Mitch Hirsch. "It wasn't for a lack of effort. We just didn't have some things go our way and it snowballed on us."

Covington was one out from holding Russia scoreless in the first inning, but a throwing error resulted in two Raider runs.

Then in the bottom of the second, Covington had a Russia runner caught dead to right at third, but overthrew the ball into left field that brought in two more runs in a five-run inning.

"We had a couple of mistakes early that really cost us," Hirsch said. "In the first inning we made a heck of a play to get to the ball, but our momentum forced a bad throw. Then we had an easy out there in the second, but didn't set our feet to make a good throw. It was just one of those nights."

And you can't have one of those nights against a really good hitting team like Russia.

The Raiders hit the ball hard all night, finding the gaps for base hits in crucial situations.

"They (Russia) were very disciplined at the plate," said Hirsch. "We'd get them down in the count 0-2 several times and they would battle out of it for a walk or a base hit. They hit the ball very well tonight."

Russia racked up 11 hits in the contest, many times with one or two outs and runners in scoring position.

The Raiders built an 8-0 lead in the first three innings, with the big inning coming in the second with five runs.

Covington scored its lone run in the sixth, but the Raiders put the game away in the bottom of the sixth with three more runs.

"It seemed like we could never get the out to get off the field," Hirsch explained. "Some of the plays things didn't bounce our way, but they had a lot to do with that with the way they hit the ball. Give them credit."

Covington's season ends, but playing in the sectional final was something that was unexpected by many considering the youth of the Buccaneer team and how tough of a start they had to the season.

"The kids came a long way this year," said Hirsch. "Heck, we were getting run-ruled a lot earlier in the year, but these kids battled and started playing pretty good baseball down the stretch."

The Buccs lose two seniors in Adam Craft and Nick Long, but the remainder of the roster returns next season - along with a large group of incoming freshman.

"We're definitely going to miss Adam and Nick," Hirsch continued. "Adam is a three-year starter, but we do have a lot coming back. We just have to continue to improve and find a way to get past the sectional final."

Which Russia was able to accomplish as it faces Tri-Village tomorrow at Newton High School in the district final.

And if the Raiders hit like they did against Covington, they could be playing in the regional tournament next week.

SCORING BY INNINGS:
Covington ........0...0...0...0...0...1 - 1 - 2 - 2
Russia ..............2...5...1...0...0...3 - 11 - 11 - 1