By By TOM NYHUIS / Niles Daily Star
THREE OAKS – A slow start by Buchanan's varsity softball team didn't hurt the Lady Bucks Tuesday afternoon in Three Oaks.
The first game started nearly an hour late du to transportation problems leaving Buchanan. But the Bucks finally got the bats going and erupted for a 10-run seventh inning to break open a 4-0 Lady Buck advantage.
Buchanan went on to take the first game of a Lakeland Conference doubleheader 14-1. The Lady Bucks also knocked off the Mustangs in the nightcap, taking a 11-3 win.
Buchanan slapped out 12 hits in the opener and also had 12 batters reach base, via the walk.
Ashley Pointer picked up the win throwing a complete game giving up four hits, striking out eight and walking three.
Leading the hitting attack for Buchanan was Jayme O'Bryant, who swatted a solo home run, a triple and a single. Pointer added a triple, picking up two RBI.
River Valley's single run came in the seventh inning on a solo home run shot by Val Schlutt. Schlutt also had a pair of singles to lead the Mustangs.
Alexis Lenox took the pitching duties in game two and picked up the win as the Lady Bucks' offense scored eight runs in the first four innings for an 8-3 lead.
Lenox left the game with two runners on and no outs in the fifth and Pointer came in to shut down the Mustang threat. Lenox gave up four hits and struck out seven, while walking four. Pointer closed out the game, striking out four with one walk and giving up one hit in the final three innings.
Courtney Miller picked up two RBIs on a pair of doubles and a single to lead the Lady Bucks eight hit attack. Emily Ross added two singles, Julia LaBounty singled in a run in the Lady Bucks four run second inning.
Game One
Buchanan 000 130 10 – 14 12 0
River Valley 000 0 0 1 – 1 4 3
WP- Pointer
LP- Sokolowski
Game Two
Buchanan 043 121 0 – 11 8 2
River Valley 012 000 0 – 3 5 4
WP- Lenox
LP- Holman