APRIL 15, 2016 - COVINGTON
The Covington Buccaneers continued to struggle defensively on Thursday, committing three errors leading to five unearned runs in an 8-6 loss to National Trail.
"It started with the very first batter," said Covington coach Mitch Hirsch of the fielding errors. "The problem is, when we have one it snowballs on us. When we make a mistake, we can’t seem to put it behind us and move on."
National Trail took advantage by scoring four runs in it opening at bat and Covington was playing catch up the rest of the way.
The Buccaneers cut the deficit to 4-2 with a run in the second and another in the third, but once again surrendered the momentum with an untimely error in the fourth that led to two more National Trail runs.
"We got some momentum to get back into the game and then hurt ourselves in the field," Hirsch said. "A lot of it is routine plays - plays we should be making."
National Trail pushed its lead to 8-3 with another run in the top of the sixth, but Covington came back to score a run in the bottom of the sixth and three more in the seventh.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for a comeback win.
"In the last two games we've given up twelve unearned runs," Hirsch said. "The kids are frustrated by it, but they haven't given up. They asked to stay after the game to field some balls and they want to come in tomorrow (Saturday) as well. They want to get better - and they will."
The silver lining for Covington is the fact it has been receiving solid pitching and hitting the ball well.
Tonight, hurlers Christian Nelson and Kenny Atkinson threw well enough to win and the Buccaneer batters pounded out 11 hits.
"We hit the ball harder tonight than we have all year," Hirsch said. "Our pitching has been fine."
James Grilliot went 3-for-4 with a double, while Levi Winn was 2-for-4 with a double and Jared Williams doubled and drove in three runs.
Covington falls to 3-6 overall and 1-2 in the CCC. It hosts New Bremen on Monday.
SCORE BY INNINGS:
National Trail - 4 0 0 2 1 1 0 - 8 - 7 - 1
Covington - 0 1 1 0 0 1 3 - 6 - 11 - 3 |