By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN - It probably seemed like deja vu for the Buchanan softball team Tuesday afternoon as the Bucks fell to visiting Brandywine in both games 5-0.
The win keeps the Bobcats undefeated in the Lakeland Conference with a 6-0 record, while Buchanan falls to a 4-2 record with its first pair of conference loses.
Kelli Zache was the winning pitcher in both games tossing a five-hitter and a three-hitter against Buchanan's Ashley Pointer.
In the first game, Brandywine scored one run in the top of the first inning, two in the third, one in the fifth and one in the seventh to give it the 5-0 win.
Top hitters for the Bobcats were Kelli Zache with two doubles and an RBI and Ashley Antus and Connie Brant both with two singles.
Buchanan made a good effort in the second game to score some runs, but couldn't pull it off.
The Bobcats started the game out scoring two runs in the top of the first, one in the third and two in the seventh to again give them the 5-0 win.
Top hitters in the second game were Buchanan's Pointer with a double, Zache with three singles, Kendra Zache with three singles and an RBI and Amanda Grice and Brant all with multiple hits for the Bobcats.
Brandywine returns to the field on Saturday when it travels to Mattawan. Tournament time is set to begin at 9 a.m.
The Bucks will cost Coloma on Friday for another Lakeland Conference game set to begin at 4 p.m.
Cassopolis vs. River Valley
The Cassopolis varsity softball team snapped an eight-game losing streak Tuesday night, but more importantly, got its first Lakeland Conference win since 2002.
The Rangers lost to host River Valley 13-1 in the first game, but rallied to win the second game, 10-8.
Jessica Frucci had a double for the Lady Rangers in the first game. Randi Hoffman took the loss.
In the nightcap, Symone Pompey picked up the victory as she allowed eight runs on four hits with 10 strike outs and nine walks.
Frucci had a double and three singles, while Becky File had two doubles and two singles. Nikitas Nelson had three hits, while Hoffman, Baily Wyant and Jealyn Foston all had two hits.
Cassopolis is now 2-8 overall and 1-5 in the league.