By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN - After a scoreless start to the first of two games Wednesday night, the Buchanan varsity softball team suffered a 1-0, 11-2 loss against visiting Watervliet.
The loss takes the Bucks to 3-2 overall, but they are still undefeated in the LAC so far with a 2-0 record.
It took nine innings in the first game until the Panthers were able to take the win. Rachel Thomas drove in the winning run when she hit a double in the top of the ninth.
Sarah Sheffer was the winning pitcher for Watervliet against Buchanan's Ashley Pointer.
Top hitters were Emily Ross with a double for the Bucks and Thomas of Watervliet who also had a double.
After a hard fought battle in the first game, Buchanan took an 11-2 loss against the Panthers.
Watervliet score three runs in the top of the first inning, one in the second, two in the third, and three in the fourth before the Bucks were able to pull off one run in the bottom of the fifth.
The Panthers were able to drive in another run in the top of the sixth and Buchanan also added another run to its score in the bottom of the sixth.
Watervliet scored on last run in the seventh and kept the Bucks scoreless in the bottom of the inning to take the game win.
Sheffer was the winning pitcher for the Panthers and Chenai Marker was the losing pitcher for Buchanan.
Top hitters were Lizzy Thornton with a double for the Bucks and Jamie Hartmann and Shannon McLaughlin both with doubles for Watervliet.
Tracey Brelowski had a triple for Buchanan and Thomas had one for the Panthers.
Buchanan will travel to Ostego on Saturday. Game time is set for 10 a.m.