By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- If it weren't for the five errors, Buchanan softball coach Mike Welsh might still be dancing all over Brandywine's softball field today.
The Bucks suffered a 5-2, 16-0 sweep to Lakeland rival Brandywine Tuesday afternoon, but the effort his team gave in the first game gave Welsh plenty of reason to smile.
Buchanan dropped two fly balls and committed three other defensive errors that allowed the Bobcats to score five unearned runs.
Offensively the Bucks managed three hits off Brandywine All-State pitcher Nicki McGowen and rallied for a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning.
In the other dugout, Brandywine coach Jim Myers was disappointed in his team's offensive effort, but credited the Bucks for keeping the game close.
Ashley Pointer took the loss for Buchanan as she gave up nine hits. McGowen struck out 13 batters on her way to the victory.
Sisters Dee Echevarria and Angela Newman led Brandywine at the plate in the first game. Newman hit a pair of singles and a double while Echevarria added a single and a double.
Leslie Niemier started Buchanan's seventh-inning rally with a double.
The Brandywine batters did their best to redeem themselves in the second game. After scoring one run on one hit and one error in the first inning, the Bobcats exploded for 15 runs on 15 hits and four errors in the second.
Pointer worked the first inning and faced the first nine batters in the second. Chenai Marker came on in relief and faced the last 12 batters of the second inning.
McGowen earned the win in the second game, but worked just two innings. Amanda Grice pitched the third inning.
Echevarria, Missy Low and Michelle Shoemaker each hit a double and a single in the second game for Brandywine.
Ali Bender led Buchanan at the plate with a double in the second game.
The Bobcats were without starting centerfielder Ashley Antus who suffered an injury in practice Monday night. McGowen was also less than 100 percent after being involved in an automobile accident Tuesday morning.
Brandywine, now 13-4 overall and 6-0 in league play, is ranked No. 5 in Division 4 and returns to action Friday at River Valley. Buchanan is 3-10 overall and 2-4 in the league and will travel to South Haven today.