MAY 1, 2009 - COVINGTON
It's been an entire week since the Covington Lady Buccs have been able to play a softball game due to the weather as the last outing was a 11-0 victory over Bradford last Friday.

So one may claim rust was a factor in a 5-4 loss to Fort Loramie on Friday, but Covington coach Dean Denlinger isn't buying it.

"No excuses, it was a lack of focus on our part," said Denlinger in regards to his team giving up four unearned runs on three errors. "The layoff had nothing to do with it. If we want to be top notch team, we have to be ready to play under any circumstances."

Covington built a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first thanks to a beautify executed sacrifice by Sarah Westfall and head-first slide into home by Shelby Hoblit on a passed ball.

But Loramie knotted the score in the top of the fourth on an error by Covington that resulted in both runs with two outs in the inning.

"That was a lack of communication in the infield," Denlinger described. "We practiced that same situation all the time, but we had two infielders go for the ball and run into each other because they didn't talk. That's inexcusable."

Covington responded in the bottom of the fourth with two more runs to take back the momentum as Westfall connected on a two-run single.

Loramie then cut the margin to a single run after scoring in the fifth on a hit to right field when Covington was one strike from being out of the inning.

"They (Fort Loramie) got some big hits when they needed them," Denlinger said. "That was a big one because she went down and hit a tough pitch. That pitch was put right where we wanted it and she just went down and got it."

Still, Covington was in control well into the top of the seventh as it had two outs with runners on second and third - and two strikes on the batter.

Then a routine pop-up in the infield was mishandled, which allowed the two runs to score as the throw to first was not in time.

"If we field the ball on two plays, we win the game 4-1," Denlinger said.

Covington had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh as Chloe Shell reached on an error and moved to second base.

But Covington couldn't get the big hit Loramie had been able to get to drive in the tying run.

"We didn't execute very well at the plate tonight at all," said Denlinger. "All of the bunts and drags were right at the pitcher. The corners were just begging to be beat, but we didn't take advantage of what they gave us."

Perhaps the defeat was an eye-opener for Covington as a brutal week awaits consisting of several conference games against teams tied with the Lady Buccs at the top of the standings.

"We're better than this," Denlinger commented. "We have a tough week ahead of us and if we want to be an elite team we have to be ready to play every night."

Chloe Shell started the contest and went five innings and Halley Roberts pitched the final two innings for Covington. The duo combined to allow just four hits and strike out nine.

"Our pitchers pitched well enough to win this game," said Denlinger. "We let them down in the field, which is disappointing because our defense has been our strong suit all year."

Covington recorded four hits as well, but hit the ball hard all night. On three occasions the Lady Buccs connected on deep balls to left field that went out of play - one that was long enough to clear the fence.

"Yeah, we hit the ball hard," agreed Denlinger. "But we didn't do the things we needed to in the small game to score runs."

Sarah Westfall went 1-2 and drove in three runs for Covington, while Halley Roberts, Chloe Shell and Hannah Pond each recorded hits.

Covington drops to 13-2 overall and hosts Troy tomorrow morning at 11:00am before taking on Franklin Monroe at 2:00pm.

Scoring by Innings:
Fort Loramie ..............0...0...0...2...1...0...2 - 5 - 4 - 1
Covington ...................0...2...0...2...0...0...0 - 4 - 4 - 3