MAY 14, 2009 - COVINGTON
Just eight days ago the Covington Lady Buccs thrashed Bethel 17-0 in five innings, so conventional wisdom would indicate an easy victory to open the sectional tournament on Thursday.

And early on it looked that way as Covington scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 5-0 lead.

But a gritty Bethel team held its own the rest of the way - only allowing just one more run in a 6-0 Covington victory.

"They had several kids at different positions than when we played them last week," said Covington coach Dean Denlinger. "And they just played better this time around, so give them credit."

Still, Denlinger has higher expectations of his group as he didn't see the fire that has sparked Covington to a 21-2 record heading into the tournament.

"Our intensity and fire wasn't there at all tonight," Denlinger said. "I told the kids before the game that Bethel was dangerous and we had to jump on them early and stay on them every inning."

Covington did the first part by tallying five runs in its first at bat.

Hannah Pond led off the bottom of the first inning with a bunt and Michelle Leistner reached on an error to put runners at first and second. Then Katie Dickey followed with a single that loaded the bases.

This set up a three-run triple by Kristen Boggs, who drove a line shot to the fence.

Halley Roberts followed by reaching on a passed ball on a third strike, which scored Boggs as the throw was made to first.

Chloe Shell then doubled to score Roberts, who had stolen second.

But Covington wouldn't score again until the bottom of the fourth inning when Katie Dickey wrapped a base hit by the shortstop to score Hannah Pond, who had singled and stole second base.

"We didn't adjust to their pitcher very well," said Denlinger. "She didn't throw as hard as what we've seen the past few games and we just didn't do a very good job of adjusting to it."

Fortunately, Covington's pitching was sound enough to keep Bethel from putting runs on the board.

Chloe Shell went six innings and allowed just three hits, while Halley Roberts struck out three of the four batters she faced in the seventh inning in recording the save.

And it set up a rematch with Twin Valley South, who Covington beat 7-0 last Friday. The game is slated for 11:00am Saturday at Bethel High School.

"We have to step it up a notch if we want to contend with South (Twin Valley South) on Saturday," Denlinger said. "Yeah, we beat them of Friday, but their pitcher is capable of shutting teams down. That's the type of game that could come down to one play, one sac (sacrifice), or one mistake. We can't be the one to make that mistake, so we'll have to be ready to play."

They'll also need a little more fire and intensity.

SCORING BY INNINGS:
Bethel ..............0...0...0...0...0...0...0 - 0 - 4 - 2
Covington .......5...0...0...1...0...0...x - 6 - 8 - 2