However, what that 2022 class and the classes that followed accomplished, the 2026 class built on in a big way, leaving their own mark on the history books while helping maintain an unprecedented era of success for the program.

Since 2023, Bucktail’s starting lineup has featured the same four names — Lola English, Eva Sockman, Makenna Stone and Kendall Wagner. The 2026 class was expanded in 2024 with the additions of Angel Kmetz and Hayleigh Dent, with Kmetz starting immediately and Dent earning a starting job as a junior.

On May 19, that 2026 class became the first class in program history to reach four district finals in a row when they defeated Sullivan County, 10-7, in the District 4 Class A semifinals. They also became the first class to experience four state tournaments in the process.

As underclassmen in 2023 and 2024, that quartet of four-year starters and Kmetz played crucial roles in the team earning back-to-back district titles – another first for the Bucks. And two postseasons later, the class stood at the forefront of the program’s first state-tournament win and quarterfinal berth last Monday.

MARK NANCE/For The Express Bucktail third baseman Lola English bare hands a throws to first base for an out on a Tri-Valley bunt in the fourth inning.

“I’m just really proud of the senior girls and whole team on executing when we needed to execute,” said Stone following the win. “It’s great that me and my friends can be able to say that we won a state game for the first time in school history.”

“We always say our goal is to win a district title, and everything after that’s a bonus. But It’s sweet to get this first state win,” emphasized Bucktail manager Mike Poorman.

The win was especially special given the team’s PIAA hardships through the years.

Prior to the victory, the Bucks held a 0-3 record in state tournament games. Their previous two first-round draws – Old Forge in 2024 and Claysburg-Kimmel in 2025 – made it all the way to semis, with Claysburg-Kimmel being a 25-0 juggernaut.

“Claysburg is obviously a really strong program,” said Poorman. “One year (2021), we lost 1-0 to the eventual state champions (Montgomery) with a great team. I thought we could have made a run that year.”

MARK NANCE/For The Express Bucktail’s Kendall Wagner (33) reacts after falling in the state tournament to Tri Valley.

Even with a more favorable draw in 2026, last Monday’s win came with its own array of challenges. On top of the pressure of accomplishing history and playing with the season on the line, the Bucks endured a strong performance from Greenwood starting pitcher Makenzie Devore and needed poise in the clutch to secure the one-run win.

“It wasn’t the prettiest game in the world, but we got it done,” said Stone. “I think the biggest thing this game is that we kept our energy up, innings one through seven, and just kept our teammates alive.”

Each four-year starter played their own role when it came to getting the job done.

English and Stone scored the team’s first two runs respectively, with Sockman and Wagner batting them home. Those runs granted Bucktail (17-5) a one-run cushion heading into the fourth, proving vital in the long run. And each made an impact within the team’s two-run performance defensively, with Sockman pulling off multiple pickoffs at catcher.

While it ultimately didn’t translate into a title run, the win was certainly a momentous one, adding another bullet point to the expansive list of accomplishments the group has achieved together. It marked the 60th victory shared by English, Sockman, Stone and Wagner, who also accomplished enough individual to add pages to that list.

In 2026, all four made the Mid-Penn all-star team, English, Sockman and Wagner as first-teamers and Stone as a second-teamer. English finished all four seasons on the first team, with Sockman coming one second-team appearance as a freshman short of doing the same. Wagner made the second team as a freshman and sophomore, and Stone added did the same as a freshman and junior.

Sockman (137), Wagner (113) and English (109) each surpassed 100 hits in their career, with Stone finishing right behind them with 96. Sockman bat above a .500 in all four seasons, and Wagner bat a staggering .656 to cap off a stellar multi-sport career on a high note.

All’s to say they’ve set the standard high when it comes to future Bucktail squads, taking the torch passed by past classes and maintaining its flame with composure and grace. It’s a group that will be sorely missed heading into 2027, a year that poses the Bucks’ most difficult rebuild in almost a decade.

That’s not to say the ship isn’t in good hands moving forward.

As underclassmen, Carrie Ditty and Kelsie Wagner played crucial roles in last Monday’s historic win and many that preceded it. From the mound, Ditty surpassed 200 strikeouts as a sophomore, and Wagner finished her freshman campaign with 75. Wagner also finished third on the team in batting average (.484) and OPS (1.559).

Wagner joined her sister on the Mid-Penn’s first team, and Ditty and Rebekah Conway earned second-team honors. And Bucktail’s lone 2027 senior – Riley Salizzoni – has multiple years of starting experience heading into her closing campaign with the Bucks.

That group has considerable experience to build from as it looks to steer the ship next season, coupled with the momentum gained from accomplishing history.

“It’s great to make school history,” said Ditty following last Monday’s state win. “I think that’s a really big accomplishment for our school, especially with how small we are.”

“It means a lot to me, to get to do it with my sister and my team,” emphasized Wagner.