COVINGTON – The Covington Buccaneers captured a 7-4 victory over Botkins in the first home game of the season to improve the early record to 1-1.

Botkins opened up the game with two runs in the top of the first inning, but fortunately the Buccaneers were able to close the gap to 2-1 by scoring a run in the bottom half of the inning as James Kuether started off with a lead-off hit. He then scored a run from a base hit by Brairen Denson.

The Buccaneers tied the game at 2-2 with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning, but another unfortunate mistake by Covington handed Botkins a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth inning.

Covington flipped the game in the bottom of the fifth by scoring five runs on three hits to take the lead, 7-3. The biggest benefit for the Buccaneers in the inning was an error by Botkins that drove in two runs.

Botkins scored a run in the top of the seventh, but the Buccaneers closed out the game in the needed fashion for an important victory.

Brairen Denson and Tyler Palsgrove were a force together for the Buccs in the lineup as they each collected two hits for Covington, while hitting back-to-back. Finn Rogers, Hunter McMillion, Colton Goins, and Brairen Denson each drove in one run for the Buccaneers.

Covington’s lone senior on the team, Caleb Smith, started off pitching well and threw for five innings. He allowed just four hits, watched three batters and struck out three. Finn Rogers pitched the final two innings as he allowed just two hits and two walks. He struck out two batters as well.

Overall, Covington outhit Botkins 8-6 and only committed one error compared to the three errors suffered by the Trojans.

The Buccaneers open up the TRC schedule in a critical matchup at Miami East tomorrow.