By TOM NYHUIS
Niles Daily Star

BUCHANAN – Tuesday’s prep softball doubleheader at Buchanan had a lot on the line for the Bucks – a Lakeland Conference championship

For the Lady Bucks all they needed was one win to clinch and a sweep would give them an out right Lakeland Conference title.

For the first time in Buchanan High School history the girl’s softball program has won back-to-back league championships. It took the Lady Bucks two three-inning games to lock up the title against Cassopolis 15-0, 16-1.

Alexis Lenox recorded the victory in each game throwing a no hitter in the opener and giving up two in game two. Finishing the day with 14 strikeouts and four walks in the six innings of work and was backed up with error free defense.

At the plate Buchanan wrapped out 19 hits on the day led by Julia LaBounty’s two singles driving in four runs. Brianna Turnock, Rachel Briggs and Erin Glavin also connected with two hits apiece in the opener and Audrey Oake added three hits in game two and Glavin added another two singles. The Bucks improve to 22-8 and finish the league with an 11-1 record.

“I thought that we came out foucesed tonight,” Buchanan coach Mike Welsh said after the league clinching win. “It’s down to crunch time. This is what we play for. We play for conference and district championships and long state runs. Tonight everybody contributed and that is what I have been preaching to them all year.”

Cassopolis’ lone run came in on a bases loaded walk in the top of the third in the only threat that the Ranger had in the two games. Milken was the pitcher of record in game one and Olivia Stewart took the game two loss.

For the boys, playing their final home game of the season, the Bucks needed a sweep of visiting Cassopolis to stay in the hunt for the Lakeland title race. They would also need help from other teams to either give them a tie or an outright league crown.

Buchanan picked up the opener with another complete game win by Bryan Kuntz in a 3-2 win.

Kuntz shut the door on the Ranger in the top of the seventh as the Rangers had the bags loaded with two outs but couldn’t bring in run needed to even the game at three leaving the bases loaded with Kuntz picking up a strike out to end the game and pick up the win.
In the nightcap the game was called after eight innings due to darkness with the game tied at two. The game will be finished if it has an effect on the outcome of the league crown.

Four the Bucks it was the four seniors to play on their home field. Richie Reed, Tyler Powers, Jon Norton and David Sokolowski were honored by coachs, teammates and fans between games for their dedication to the Bucks program.

First game
Cassopolis 000 – 0 0 3
Buchanan 348 – 15 11 0
WP – Alexis Lenox
LP – Milken

Second game
Cassopolis 001 – 1 2 3
Buchanan 0(12)4 – 16 8 0
WP – Alexis Lenox
LP – Olivia Stewart

Lakeshore at Niles
The Niles softball team were swept easily by Lakeshore Tuesday night. Lakeshore took game one 11-0 and game two 12-0.

The Lancers pounded out 11 hits in game one and 13 in game two. Heather Daniels took the game one loss, allowing seven earned runs and striking out three. Brittney Buti and Daniels both singled.

Buti took the loss in game two, allowing 11 earned runs and striking out three. Daniels and Buti both singled again in game two to account for all of the Vikings’ hits.

First game
Lakeshore100 040 6 – 11 11 0
Niles 000 0000 – 0 2 2
WP: Maggie Hildebrand
LP: Heather Daniels
2B: Rachel Zwar (L)
HR: Zwar (L), Lindsey McNair (L)

Second game
Lakeshore 100 040 6 – 11 11 0
Niles 000 000 0 – 0 2 2
WP: Megan Hiler and Savannah Kennedy
LP: Brittney Buti and Hannah Porterfield

Edwardsburg at Brandywine
Visiting Edwardsburg swept a pair of Lakeland Conference doubleheaders from Brandywine Tuesday afternoon.

The Eddies defeated the Bobcats 14-2 in five innings and 18-5.

Ashley Tackett tossed a three-hitter for Edwardsburg in the first game.

Sam Vaughn and Brande Overholt both doubled for the Bobcats.

Andrea LaPlace earned the win in the nightcap for the Eddies.

Deb Burton homered for the Eddies.

Mikayla Kemp had two doubles for the Bobcats, while Overholt also doubled.

Ellie Price added a triple for the Bobcats.

First game
Edwardsburg 145 04 – 14 15 0
Brandywine 011 00 – 2 3 1
WP – Ashley Tackett and Deb Burton
LP – Mikayla Kemp and Hadden
2B: Sam Vaughn (BW), Brande Overholt (BW)

Second game
Edwardsburg 305 203 5 – 18 15 0
Brandywine 000 230 0 – 5 11 2
WP – Andrea LaPlace and Deb Burton
LP – Allie Harris and Vaughn
2B: Brande Overholt (BW), Mikayla Kemp (BW) 2
3B: Ellie Price (BW)
HR: Burton (E)