Behind another strong showing from the plate, Wagner was able to put together her second three-hit performance in the same number of games, coming against a consistent obstacle and Mid-Penn rival in Montgomery (1-2) no less. That effort, coupled with a composed defensive showing from Carrie Ditty and her field, willed the Bucks to an exciting 5-4 victory on their home field Wednesday night.

The win was particularly momentous given the team’s recent track record against the Red Raiders. Since dropping two regular-season games to Montgomery last season, Bucktail has overcome the lofty hurdle twice. Both wins came through absolute slugfests as well.

“It’s just a good springboard for our season,” said Bucktail head coach Mike Poorman when discussing the win. “We played a tough Mo Valley team first game and came out with a win against a solid pitcher, and Montgomery obviously has some solid pitching as well. Overall, just a great win. Great start to the season.”

Montgomery certainly didn’t make it easy for Bucktail’s offense, doing a good job of extinguishing early opportunities as it protected an early 2-0 lead. It held Bucktail scoreless through the first four innings, stranding six runners within that span, and even got Wagner out on her second at-bat amidst a second-inning retirement.

KEVIN RAUCH/For the Express Bucktail freshman shortstop Kelsie Wagner snags a line drive, as the 9th grader turned in a strong performance in a 5-4 win over Montgomery on Wednesday afternoon at Bucktail.

However, whenever Wagner took the plate with runners on base late, she’d make the most of the opportunity.

In the fifth inning, Riley Salizzoni got the ball rolling with a single down the centerfield line, and Lola English gave the Bucks two runners by way of walk two batters later. With one out on the board and Bucktail’s deficit at 2-0, Wagner stepped up to the plate with a chance to do some damage.

There, Wagner quickly found herself with a 3-1 count, knowing her ideal pitch was sitting on the horizon. She’d get that exact pitch on pitch late and responded by blasting a shot over the left-centerfield wall, gifting the Bucks a three-RBI homer that gave them their first lead of the contest.

“I was ahead in the count, so I knew she had to throw strikes at me,” said Wagner on the moment. “So, I kept telling myself a strike’s coming, a strike’s coming. I saw it and swung.”

The Red Raiders would need less than three outs to respond right back, as Zoe Furman’s second two-RBI triple of the contest gave them a 4-3 lead with two innings to go. But with Montgomery’s pitching slowing down late, it was only a matter of time before the Bucks got their next chance to strike.

KEVIN RAUCH/For the Express Bucktail senior third baseman Lola English appears to tag out Zoe Furman during Wednesday's contest at Bucktail, but Furman would later be called safe after a succesful appeal from Montgomery Coach Chris Glenn.

In the sixth inning, three walks in four plate appearances gave Bucktail loaded bases as its order reset. Leadoff batter Makenna Stone would take the opportunity and build on it, hitting a grounder into a no-out fielder’s choice as Rebekah Conway safely made it home to tie it at 4-4.

Though a strikeout would follow, in stepped Wagner with a chance to complete the thrilling rally. And on the fourth pitch of the at-bat, the senior would do just that, lodging a grounder between Montgomery’s shortstop and third baseman to bat Angel Kmetz home for a timely, lead-changing RBI single.

Both moments featured their fair share of pressure, with the outcome of the outing hanging in the balance and neither featuring a semblance of cushion. But despite the stakes, Wagner never hesitated when it mattered most.

“I never get nervous. I always try to stay upbeat and not get down on myself,” said Wagner when discussing those tense moments. “Every time I step into the batter’s box, I try not to think about anything and just hit the ball.”

“She’s just been killing the ball this year so far,” said Poorman on Wagner.

With the performance, Wagner heads into Game Three having already posted six hits, eight RBIs and two homers and making a tremendous impact on Bucktail’s 2-0 start. However, on Wednesday, it would’ve been in vain without a strong shake back from the field.

On two separate occasions, the Bucks got punched in the mouth, going down 2-0 immediately before surrendering another two runs as soon as they were able to gain back ground. Each time, they managed to seamlessly stop the bleeding.

Sophomore pitcher Carrie Ditty threw 27 pitches through that two-run first but was still pitching six innings later, finishing with six strikeouts to just four hits and three issued walks. Alongside strong efforts from her infield and freshman centerfielder Kaylie Lebo, she showed off a short memory on Wednesday, which kept Montgomery from building on their explosive stretches.

After the first, Ditty pitched four straight scoreless innings – including three retirements. And following the sixth, she struck out two within a game-sealing retirement.

“After losing to them twice during the regular season last year, I think it motivated us. I lost my nervousness and became more confident in myself,” said Ditty. “We had a little bit of a rough start, but I think we really pulled it together as the game went on.”

Barring obvious weather concerns, Bucktail (2-0) will be back in action on Wednesday afternoon, as it travels to face Mid-Penn foe Muncy (0-2) at 4:30 p.m. The Red Raiders (1-2) will work to bounce back on Thursday when they host Benton, also at 4:30 p.m.

Bucktail 5, Montgomery 4

Montgomery 200 002 0 – 4 4 0

Bucktail 000 032 X – 5 5 1

Ava Hartman, Arianna Snyder (5), Jenna Houseknecht (6) and Addi Greger. Carrie Ditty and Eva Sockman. W – Ditty. L – Snyder.

Top Montgomery hitters: Zoe Furman 2-2, 2 3Bs, 4 RBIs; Ava Hartman 1-3, 2B; Chloe Gordner 1-3; Addi Greger, Madison Miller 2 runs. Top Bucktail hitters: Kendall Wagner 3-4, HR, 4 RBIs, run; Riley Salizzoni 1-1, run; Angel Kmetz 1-2; run; Rebekah Conway 2 BBs, run.

Records: Bucktail 2-0 (1-0 Mid-Penn); Montgomery 1-2 (0-1 Mid-Penn).