COVINGTON – Baseball is a game of momentum, especially for young teams who progress through good times and hard times.

The Covington Buccaneers are a young team and have had runs of success early in the season and then a rough stretch consisting of nine straight losses. But the Buccaneers never gave in and appear to be hitting their stride with the tournament just around the corner.

On Tuesday the Buccs defeated Fairlawn 18-0 and Thursday, in a huge TRC matchup, Covington defeated Lehman Catholic 5-4 to improve its overall record to 8-11 and 6-7 in the league.

Like they have done all season, the Buccs showed their competitive drive and mental toughness by overcoming a 3-0 deficit to the Cavaliers. Lehman plated a run in each of its first three at bats, but the Buccaneers responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third on an RBI single by Trey Schmelzer that scored Tanner Palsgrove and a fielder’s choice by Ashton Skaggs that scored Jacob Tipp.

Lehman went up 4-2 with a run in the top of the fourth, but Covington once again responded in the bottom half of the inning. Carson Taylor scored on an error and then Jacob Tipps doubled in Carter Owens to tie the game at 4-4. Trey Schmelzer singled in Tanner Palsgrove to give the Buccs a 5-4 lead.

The Cavaliers put two runners in scoring position in the top of the fifth, but Carson Taylor struck out the next batter and forced a pop-up to end the threat.

Lehman put two more runners in scoring position in the top of the seventh, but once against Taylor shut the door on the Cavaliers by forcing a ground out to Tanner Palsgrove to end the game.

Ashton Skaggs pitched well for Covington as he went four and one-third inning to pick up the win. He allowed just three hits and the three runs given top were unearned. Carson Taylor picked up the save by throwing very well over the final two and -two-third innings. He didn’t allow a single hit in his effort on the mound.

Covington looks to keep the momentum going tomorrow (Friday) at Piqua.