Shikellamy- Bucktail’s junior high squad met some stiff competition on Saturday at the Shikellamy Middle School softball tournament. The Lady Bucks met some softball powerhouses from around the state, but it was an old nemesis that delivered their first loss of the 2026 season.
Bucktail opened the tournament with a 15-6 win over Line Mountain.
The Lady Bucks opened the game by scoring 6 runs in the top of the first inning. The Lady Eagles countered with a two-run frame of their own. Bucktail scored three more runs over the course of the next two innings, while allowing Line Mountain to only score one run during that span.
Leading 9-3, Bucktail pounded out six more runs in the top of the fourth inning. Line Mountain narrowed the gap by scoring three more runs in their final at bat as Bucktail advanced by the 15-6 count.
The Lady Bucks pounded out 14 hits in the game led by Blake Houser’s three for four game. Gemma Braunns, Audrina Tarantella and Adi Getz all picked up two hits, with Getz collecting a double. Kiplee Friese, Andrea Burrows, Madison Dent, Aady Marr and Taylor Ditty all collected a hit in the win.
In the next round Bucktail squared off against Williamsport. The Lady Bucks exploded to a 14-0 win to advance to the semifinals. Madison Dent led the way with a pair of hits for Bucktail. Kiplee Friese hit a double and Gemma Braunns, Adi Getz and Audrina Tarantella all added singles in the win.
Next up for 7-0 Bucktail was an old rival in Montgomery. The Lady Red Raiders avenged an earlier loss at Bucktail with a come from behind win after trailing 5-4 entering the bottom of the third inning.
Montgomery managed to plate four runs in the frame and build an 11-5 lead after going on an 11-2 span to hold an 11-5 lead. Bucktail did rally by scoring three runs in the top of the fifth inning, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Lady Bucks undefeated. Montgomery advanced to the tournament championship by the 11-8 score.
Blake Houser had her second 3 for 4 day for Bucktail. Andrea Burrows collected a multi-hit day with a pair of singles. Adi Getz cracked a triple, Aady Marr had a double and Kiplee Friese, Audrina Tarantella, Gemma Braunns and Madison Dent all had singles.
Bucktail had a shot to reach the tournament finals, but playing their fourth game of the day proved to be too much against a very strong Upper Dauphin squad.
The Lady Bucks did build a 5-4 lead on Upper Dauphin through four innings. Upper Dauphin needed a three-run rally in the top of the fifth inning to edge Bucktail 7-5.
Blake Houser went the distance for the Lady Bucks in the circle, strikingout8 Upper Dauphin batters in the process.
Bucktail managed just 4 base hits against the Upper Dauphin pitching, but Andrea Burrows sparked the Lady Bucks offense by going a perfect 3 for 3 with 2 runs driven in. Kiplee Friese connected on a single for Bucktail’s only other hit.
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