MAY 8, 2009 - COVINGTON
Covington coach Dean Denlinger couldn't have been more proud of his softball team as it knocked off another state ranked team for the second straight night.

"It's a pleasure coaching these girls because they are playing unselfish softball," said Denlinger after the Lady Buccs captured a convincing 7-0 victory over Twin Valley South. "We may not be the most athletic group, but I'll tell you this - we have a team that gets along very well and believes in one another. When you have that, good things happen."

And good things happened for Covington throughout the contest thanks to phenomenal pitching from junior Halley Roberts and some big plays on defense.

Roberts was on her game as she allowed just one hit to the 19 batters she faced. She also struck out 11 and didn't allow a single walk in six innings of action.

Chloe Shell, who pitched an outstanding game Thursday against Ansonia before Roberts relieved her in the seventh, returned the favor to Roberts and closed the show by recording three straight outs in the seventh inning to record the save.

"Our pitchers are in a zone right now," Denlinger said. "We only gave up one hit and didn't walk any batters. That's impressive against a team like that (Twin Valley South)."

The one hit Covington gave up came in the top of the fourth inning to the lead off batter as the Lady Buccs clung to a 1-0 lead.

But the play of the game came against the next batter as Katie Dickey robbed South of a base hit. The Covington senior chased down a fly ball to shallow center field and somehow threw a dart across her body - and on the run - to pick off the runner at first base for the double play.

"That play right there was the turning point of the game," said Denlinger. "What a great play that was by Katie Dickey. For her to throw the ball that hard while on the dead run and across her body is impressive. Man, what a huge play."

It's the type of play Dickey has made with regularity this season and Denlinger attributes it to her attitude.

"Katie Dickey's attitude and focus is outstanding," Denlinger explained of his senior. "She's got a great outlook on the game and sees the ball so well. She's making the tough plays look routine."

Dickey's big play sparked Covington as the emotion in the dugout was at an all-time high.

This led to five runs in the bottom of the fourth as the Lady Buccs recorded five of their 10 hits in the inning.

And it was Dickey who got things started with a single with Kristen Boggs following with a double to score Dickey.

Chloe Shell singled to put runners at the corners and Shelby Hoblit brought Boggs in with an RBI single.

Carole Bayse then connected on a two-run double to bring in Shell and Hoblit and the final run of the inning came on a single by Sarah Westfall that scored Bayse.

"We came out in the fourth inning on fire," said Denlinger. "We hit the crap out of the ball tonight, especially in the fourth inning."

Covington put one more run on the board in the bottom of the sixth just for good measure.

Recording hits for Covington were Carole Baye (2-3 with a double and 2 RBI), Katie Dickey (2-2 with an RBI), Kristen Boggs (and double and an RBI), Shelby Hoblit (a double and an RBI), Sarah Westfall (an RBI), Halley Roberts, Chloe Shell, and Hannah Pond.

Michelle Leistner didn't record a hit, but drove in a run on a sacrifice.

"We have so many girls contributing right now," Denlinger said. "Their pitcher struck out 17 batters against Newton and just five against us. We swung the bats pretty well tonight."

It resulted in another impressive win for Covington as it improves to 19-2 overall and 9-1 in the CCC.

Covington travels to Mississinawa Valley tomorrow.

SCORING BY INNINGS:
Twin Valley South .........0...0...0...0...0...0...0 - 0 - 1 - 1
Covington .......................1...0...0...5...0...1...x - 7 - 10 - 1