APRIL 22, 2010 - COVINGTON
The bad taste left from Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Arcanum was replaced with the sweet taste of victory for the Covington Lady Buccs after a 9-2 win over rival Bradford.

"This was a good way to respond (from a loss)," said Covington coach Dean Denlinger. "That was a game (Tuesday) we let slip away. We hit the ball hard, but right at people. Any one of them would have broke that game open."

Covington hit the ball hard again on Thursday, but this time the ball found the gaps in the Bradford defense. The Lady Buccs recorded eight hits in the contest and also played a little small ball with several sacrifices.

"We did a good job laying down some bunts today," Denlinger said. "(Heidi) Snipes had two nice squeezes and Emily Hicks had another."

Halley Roberts was in control on the mound as she had a perfect game going into the fifth inning.

But a Covington error followed by two straight hits by Samantha Bashore and Marissa Wirrig scored two Bradford runs as the Lady Buccs clung to a 5-2 lead. Roberts closed out the inning and was forced to the dugout struggling to catch her breath."

"Halley threw really well," Denlinger praised. "She knocked the air out of herself sliding into third and had problems breathing, so we took her out."

Chloe Shell came in and recorded the final six outs, four of those coming on strikeouts.

Covington was led at the plate by Aubrye Cain, who went 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBI. Sarah Westfall also drove in two runs on a base hit, while Heidi Snipes, Casey Yingst and Emily Hicks each drove in a run as well.

The other two Covington runs came on a passed ball and an error.

Bradford was led by Wirrig and Bashore, who both drove in a run.

"Bradford has a lot of talent," praised Denlinger. "They are a very athletic and quick team. Their pitcher (Andrea Frantz) is darn good too. I'm very impressed with the athleticism on that team."

The victory pushed Covington's record to 13-3 overall and 4-2 in the Cross County Conference.

Next up for the Lady Buccs is a trip to Franklin Monroe tomorrow.

SCORING BY INNINGS
Bradford ...............0...0...0...0...2...0...0 - 2 .. 2 .. 2
Covington ............0...1...2...2...2...2...x - 9 .. 8 .. 1