BRADFORD – Covington’s softball team overcame rough situations to defeat neighboring rival Bradford 13-11 on Monday.
The biggest impact for both teams was the outstanding batting as each team combined to pound out 31 hits – 18 by Covington and 13 by Bradford. However, both teams struggled defensively by combining to commit 10 errors throughout the game – five errors by both teams – which led to up-and-down situations throughout the entire game.
Covington started off with three runs in the top of the first with the biggest hit being a towering home run by Ava Hartwig, but Bradford responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to tie the score at 3-3.
The Lady Buccs scored a run in the top of the second to take a 4-3 lead and then scored another run in the top of the fifth to push their advantage to 5-3.
Two critical errors by the Lady Buccs in the bottom of the fifth sparked the Lady Railroaders as they took an 8-5 lead by putting five runners across the plate.
Fortunately, the Lady Buccs regrouped quickly by scoring six runs in the top of the fifth with the biggest hit being a home run by Kylie Palsgrove.
Although allowing Bradford to score another run in the bottom of the fifth, Covington pushed their lead to 13-9 with two more runs in the top of the seventh on a second straight home run connected by Kylie Palsgrove.
Bradford showed competitive desire by loading the bases with no outs to start off the seventh inning. Another hit led to two runs, but a runner was thrown out at second base by Covington. Still, with two runners on the bases and one out, Bradford had an opportunity to possibly at least tie the game and extend it into extra innings. But Covington was able to make a huge play as Ava Hartwig made a great catch on a powerful hit and then she turned in a double play by throwing out a Bradford runner at third bases.
Kylie Palsgrove had a huge impact for Covington as she went 4-for-4 with two home runs at the plate, while Ava Hartwig went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and a single.
Emalyn Johnson had three hits as well, one being a double. Plus, Jayda McClure drilled a triple, while Whitney Burns, and Cassidy Iddings also connected on doubles.
Covington is now 7-5 and hosts Riverside tomorrow.
