FORT LORAMIE – Covington ended its 2024 season in the sectional tournament with a 5-1 defeat at Fort Loramie on Monday.

The Buccaneers were within striking distance throughout much of the game, but some mistakes at the plate and in the field limited their chances to claim a victory.

Neither team was able to score in the first two innings, but the Buccaneers had a scoring opportunity in the top of the second after Michael Hagan drilled a double. Unfortunately he was thrown out at second on a ground ball at third after the fielder faked a throw to first.

Fort Loramie scored a run in the bottom of the third on an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead, but the Buccaneers responded in the top of the fourth when Connor Humphrey drove in Jacob Tipps on a single to tie the game at 1-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, Fort Loramie put three runs on the board by taking advantage of Covington mistakes. The Redskins scored on a passed ball and then another run on an RBI single after a batter was hit by a pitch. The third run came on an error by Covington with two outs. Carson Taylor replaced Tyler Jay and got the Buccaneers out of further damage as Fort Loramie held a 4-1 lead.

Both teams went three up and three down in the fifth and Covington also went three up and three down in the top of the sixth.

In the bottom of the sixth, Fort Loramie loaded the bases on a hit, a batter hit by a pitch and a bunt. The Redskins them scored on a sacrifice fly in right field to take a 5-1 lead.

With its final opportunity to keep the season alive, the Buccaneers started off the seventh with two straight hits. Ashton Skaggs singled and Connor Humphrey doubled to put runners at second and third with no outs. Unfortunately the next three batters went down in order to end the game.

Overall, Covington had five hits and Fort Loramie had seven hits. The Buccs had one error and the Redskins had two errors.

Covington ends its season with a 10-15 record.