COVINGTON – The Covington Buccaneers honored seniors Michael Hagan, Carter Owens, Carson Taylor, Connor Humphrey, Jacob Tipps and Grant Blore with a dominating 18-0 win over Jackson Center on “Senior Night”.
This victory was extremely special due to the fact that it was the final regular season home game in the careers of the seniors and one that will be remembered for the rest of their lives. Fortunately the Buccs will play at least one more game on the home field against Franklin Monroe to open the state tournament on May 15th.
Things started out great for the Buccs in the first inning as pitcher Tyler Jay and the defense behind him set the tone by shutting down Jackson Center. Carter Owens made a great catch in center field, while Carson Taylor chased down a line drive up the middle behind second base and made a great throw to first for a huge out.
In the bottom of the first the Buccaneers plated four runs capped by a three-run home run over the left field fence by junior Tanner Palsgrove – the location where his family was sitting behind the fence. All six seniors signed the home run ball for Palsgrove after the game.
Covington continued its hot hitting streak throughout the rest of the game by scoring six runs in the second, four runs in the third and four more in the bottom of the fourth for an 18-run game.
The Buccaneers played outstanding defensively by not committing a single error. Tyler Jay threw all five inning and allowed just three hits. He struck out eight batters and didn’t allow a single walk.
Nine Buccaneer batters connected on at least one hit with Tanner Palsgrove, Jacob Tipps and Connor Humphrey leading the way with two hits each. Grant Blore had one hit on a double, while Kian French, Brairen Denson, Garrett Leistner and Michael Hagan all connected on singles.
Palsgrove had the biggest day for the Buccs as he went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI. Jacob Tipps also drove in four runs on his two hits on three at bats.
The victory improves Covington’s record to 9-12 and the Buccs will close out the regular season on Friday at Piqua. The game will be played under the lights beginning at 7:00pm at legendary Hardman Field.
