In coming down the home stretch of their season, the Buffalo Bison softball team gained a sweep of their matchups with homestanding ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Catholic, rolling over the Irish 13-1 Monday evening at the Little Creek Softball Complex in South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
The Bison (10-9) took advantage of long extra-base hits while the Irish were playing shorthanded with just nine players due to injuries and an illness.
Kelsey Brock led off the game with a triple and would later add two more doubles to go with two RBIs. Dara Harmon went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
Buffalo had a triple and four doubles at the plate that, combined with walks, made a steady and consistent offensive output in every inning of the game.
The teams met back in mid-March with Buffalo winning 8-0 in Eleanor.
“We’re starting to peak at the right time. We’re getting close to sectionals,†said Bison coach Bill Rasnake. “Right now our bats are starting to come to life and we’re starting to score quite a few runs and get the bunts down when we need to. And, again, we still pride ourselves on pitching and defense.â€
The Irish (7-6), who started the season with 11 players, came into the game having lost two contests Saturday, falling 11-6 to Cross Lanes Christian and stumbling 16-1 against Midland Trail.
“We only had nine girls but they played their heart out. They were so far behind and nevertheless kept fighting and swinging,†first-year Irish coach Alex Macia said.
“Our pitching was pretty good. Katherine [Reehling] is not normally our starting pitcher, but we had to put our starting pitcher in center field. They [Buffalo] have a good coach and he’s got depth and talent.â€
Catholic’s Maddie Morris and Reehling managed doubles, the latter of which scored the only run for the Irish.
For the Bison, this has been a season of challenges as many of their opponents have been from the larger classes.
Thus far they have faced two Class AAA teams and four in Class AA to go along with two tight games in their own class against a very strong St. Marys (19-1) team. They will continue their daunting schedule at Class AA Scott on Thursday and at Class AAA Ripley on Friday.
In regard to their schedule, Rasnake added: “I’ve been here 10 years and I try to play the teams that we’ll either see in the state tournament or at least get us there. Even though our record is at .500, we have played the best teams in the state.â€
ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Catholic will continue its season Tuesday night as they travel to play the Elk Valley Christian Eagles.
