The Covington Lady Buccs avenged a 2-1 loss earlier in the season with a convincing shutout victory in the sectional finals.

May 11, 2007 – HUBER HEIGHTS
By Rob Kiser, Piqua Daily Call

Kristen Boggs went “yard” literally.

Jessica Shrout and the Covington defense took care of the rest as the Lady Buccs blanked Bradford 5-0 Friday at Wayne High School in a Division IV sectional final.

The Lady Buccs will now try to add to their collection hanging from the gym wall Friday, when they play Cincinnati Christian at 5:30 p.m. at Tipp City in a Division IV district final.

“We have a chance to add another banner to the wall,” Covington coach Lynnette Roeth said. “Anything beyond that is icing on the cake.”

And, while Bradford coach Tracy Barhorst was disappointed with Friday’s outcome, she couldn’t have been prouder of her team.

“We did have a few defensive mistakes,” Barhorst said. “But, we struggled with defense and hitting all year. When we had success, it was when everything came together. I am so proud of these girls and really happy for them. The seniors had a great four-year run. They went to the sectional finals all four years.”

It didn’t take long for a momentum swinging moment to occur as the third-seeded Buccs avenged a 2-1 loss in the regular season to the top-seeded Railroaders.

After Katelyn Selanders retired the first two batters, Michelle Barhorst hit a grounder to shortstop, but beat the throw to first by a step.

On a 3-2 pitch, Boggs went the other way, all the way to the yard beyond the right-field fence for a home run to make it 2-0.

It was Boggs second home run of the season.

“It is (pretty special to hit one against Bradford in the tournament),” Boggs said. “I had no idea it was going out. They told me when I got to first base.”

Roeth agreed that was a big moment.

“Of course, Michelle beating the ball out and Kristen (Boggs) doing what we need her to do was big,” Roeth said. “That was huge to get two runs in the first.”

Michelle Barhorst added a two-run single in the second to score both Jennifer Lowry and Katie Dickey, who had singled.

Erin Christian singled in the third and came around to score on Kylie Lavey’s single on a popup that fell untouched in the infield to make it 5-0 and Shrout made it stand up.

“Jessica (Shrout) does a great job out there,” Roeth said. “She throws strikes and does a great job changing her speed. And our defense was fundamentally sound today.”

Shrout pitched a three-hitter, striking out five and walking one.

Brittany Weldy doubled in the second and was on third with one out, before Shrout got two strikeouts.

In the fifth, a Lowry web gem ended a Roader rally. With Andrea Frantz on second with one out, Lowry, at third base, snagged a line smash by Jessica Herbst and threw to Michelle Leistner at second to double off Frantz and end the rally.

“My defense does a great job,” Shrout said. “The first game (against Bradford), we didn’t hit the ball and made some mistakes defensively. We were (fired up for the game). The two runs in the first inning ... that was like a weight off my shoulder.”

Katelyn Selanders, who pitched the first four innings, deserved a better fate from her defense. Frantz held Covington scoreless over the final three innings.

“Katelyn (Selanders) did pitch pretty well,” Barhorst said. “And I don’t think she was feeling very good today either. Our freshman pitcher (Andrea Frantz) came in and did a great job. The game could have been over when it was 5-0. But, our girls never quit. That is something I think was really important.”

Weldy was 2-for-3 for Bradford.

“It is tough to see the seniors go,” Barhorst said. “But, we have a good group of young players and two pitchers coming back. It will be interesting to see how things develop next year.”

Christian and Dickey was 2-for-3 for Covington, while Barhorst was 2-for-4.

The Lady Buccs will play at Tri-County North Wednesday in regular season action, before returning to tournament action Friday.

“We take things one game at a time,” Roeth said. “On Friday, we will have the chance for another banner.”

Which would lead to the chance to add some sweet icing to it.

LINESCORE
Covington ...221...000...0 — 5 9 0
Bradford ....000...000...0 — 0 3 2

Shrout and Lavey. Selanders, Frantz (5) and Weldy. WP-Shrout. LP-Selanders.
2B-Bradford: Weldy. HR-Covington: Boggs. Records: Covington 13-4, Bradford
12-12.