April 21, 2008 – COVINGTON
Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth, the Covington Lady Buccs needed a spark to prevent a second straight frustrating defeat.

That spark was some mistakes by Lehman and a case of small ball as Covington used some slapping, dragging and bunting to score five runs in the bottom of the sixth and escape with an 8-4 win.

"This may have been our best game laying down bunts," said Covington coach Dean Denlinger. "We did a very good job of putting a bat on the ball, especially in the sixth inning."

Covington built a 2-0 lead with runs in the first and second inning, but Lehman erupted for four runs in the top of the fourth thanks to a three-run home run by Maddie Goodwin.

"That (the home run) should have never happened," said Denlinger. "We had a simple play before that to get an out, but we didn't communicate in the field. If we make that play, we're out of the inning leading 2-1."

After scoring a run in the fifth to cut the margin to 4-3, Covington went on a terror in the bottom of the sixth.

Lehman helped Covington get the inning started as a passed ball on a third strike allowed Shelby Hoblit make it all the way to second base.

Katie Dickey followed with a sacrifice attempt and reached on the error to put runners at first and third.

Halley Roberts then walked to load the bases and Michelle Leistner followed with an RBI single to score Hoblit and Dickey and give Covington a 5-4 lead.

Jessica Snipes was hit by a pitch to load the bases once again and two straight sacrifices by Erin Christian and Kristen Boggs pushed the lead to 7-4.

Covington's final run came on a RBI single by Sarah Westfall as Snipes made her way across the plate.

"We had seven sacrifices in this game," Denlinger explained. "We also had two drags and five bunts. That was the difference in the game."

Both teams received solid pitching from their freshman hurlers as Lehman's Jessica Lemaster and Covington's Chloe Shell each went the distance.

Shell picked up the win for Covington as she struck out eight batters.

"Not bad for a freshman," smiled Denlinger. "Chloe had command of her pitches and did a good job of hitting her spots."

Lehman recorded eight hits on the afternoon, but committed three critical errors.

Covington had seven hits and no errors.

The Lady Buccs improve to 7-6 on the season and host Bradford tomorrow afternoon.

Scoring by innings:
Lehman ...........0...0...0...0...4...0...0 - 4 .. 8 .. 3
Covington ........1...1...0...0...1...5...x - 8 .. 7 .. 0