May 7, 2008 – COVINGTON
The Covington Lady Buccs used a seven-run second inning to propel themselves to a hard-fought 10-5 victory over a gritty National Trail team Wednesday in sloppy weather conditions.

"With the way it was raining in the second inning, I didn't think we were going to get the game in," said Covington coach Dean Denlinger. "Fortunately we were able to keep playing and get out of it with a win."

The sloppy conditions made it difficult for both teams defensively as a dry ball was no where to be found.

"Both teams struggled gripping the ball," Denlinger explained. "It was tough on the pitchers. A softball is a lot bigger than a baseball and the girl's hands are smaller than the boys, so it was tough out there."

Where Covington was able to take advantage was with their bats as it pounded out 11 hits in the contest, including a three-run home run by Katie Dickey in the second inning.

"Katie had a nice night at the plate," Denlinger said after Dickey went 2-for-3 with the home run and three RBI. "She swung the bat really well."

Carole Bayse started things off in the second with a double and Jessica Snipes singled to put runners at the corners.

Dickey then cleared the fence to clear the bases and give Covington a 3-1 lead.

"She cleared the fence by a good 15 to 20 feet," Denlinger described. "It was nice to see her come through like that."

After increasing the lead to 7-1 by the end of the inning, National Trail responded with a run in the third.

But Covington scored two more runs in the fourth and a run in the sixth to push the lead to 10-2.

In an attempt to get back into the game, National Trail put three runs on the board in the seventh. But Covington held true to preserve the 10-5 win.

Kristen Boggs pitched five innings for Covington and allowed just one earned run. She struck out four batters and also helped herself at the plate by going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.

"Kristen did as good as you could expect under the conditions," Denlinger said. "A lot of times the count got to full, but she did a good job of battling tonight."

Chloe Shell picked up the save as she pitched the final two innings.

Along with Dickey's performance at the plate, Carole Bayse contributed with two doubles and two RBI on a 3-for-4 night.

Erin Christian was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen base.

Covington improves to 14-8 overall and 7-4 in the CCC.

The Lady Buccs travel to Ansonia on Friday.

Scoring by Innings:
National Trail .......1...0...1...0...0...0...3 - 5 .. 6 .. 2
Covington .............0...7...0...2...0...1...x - 10 ..11 .. 2