COVINGTON – The Covington Buccaneers captured their third consecutive win with an extremely impressive 5-1 victory over Bethel on Tuesday.

Bethel entered the game leading the TRC standings with an 8-1 record and defeated Covington 8-7 three weeks ago, but the Buccaneers are playing at a higher level at this point of the season. Now the Buccaneers are 8-9 overall, 6-5 in the TRC and have won five of the past seven games.

Bethel opened the scoring in the second inning after Wyatt Hutchison hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run.

Covington responded in the bottom of the fourth inning as Christian Skaggs hit a sacrifice fly, which helped the Buccs tie the game at 1-1.

In the bottom of the sixth, Covington broke up the tie when Gunner Uderman doubled, scoring two runs. Then an error by Bethel followed to extend the Buccaneers’ lead to 5-1.

Caleb Smith earned the win for Covington on the mound. The starting pitcher allowed three hits and one run (zero earned) over seven innings. He struck out six batters and didn’t permit any walks throughout the game. This showcased his outstanding pitching locations throughout the game against a very talented Bethel team.

Gunner Uderman led Covington with two runs batted in. The right-handed hitter went 1-for-3 on the day. Talon Pergram led the Buccs with two hits in three at bats. Overall, Covington had a strong eye at the plate, piling up six walks throughout the game.

The Buccaneers play at home on Friday against Milton-Union in their next game.