HUGHESVILLE — The Hughesville Spartans won 11-1 against Bucktail in their latest softball game on Monday afternoon at Hughesville after a strong six innings for the Spartans.

“They had a pretty good game. They played well, and they stayed up, even though some of them were having a rough day,” Hughesville assistant Casey Snyder said. “They stuck together, came together, and won.”

For Hughesville, it was clear that teamwork is the Spartans’ strong suit and, together, they solidified their landslide win on Monday.

The first inning started strong for Hughesville as Maddie Smith pitched consistent strikes against Bucktail. In the bottom of the first inning, Smith also hit a home run, showcasing her talent as both a pitcher and as a hitter.

Adelyn Knight stole second, ending the inning with a score of 3-0, with Hughesville in the lead.

“Ive been working on pitching a lot,” Smith commented. “I just try to do whatever to help my team. So I’ve been working on it a lot at practice, and I think it’s starting to pay off in the games. I’m just happy with all the pitches and how they’re moving.”

In the top of the second inning, Smith was pitching again. While the Bucks made it to the bases, the Hughesville fielders ensured they stayed there and didn’t make it to home base. In the bottom of the inning, Hughesville’s Laurel Bauman connected on a triple and stole home, increasing Hughesville’s score to 4-0.

Like the first inning, Smith struck out Bucktail’s batters, blocking them from scoring. Lyla Kinney scored a single and Avery Bergey put the ball into play, scoring two runs for her team. Later, Ashlynn Barlett hit the ball into the infield, causing one runner to reach home.

That put the Spartans ahead 7-0 and in control.

In the fourth inning, Bucktail’s Kendall Wagner hit a triple, finally plating a run and erasing the shutout, cutting the deficit to 7-1. Barlett connected with a double in the bottom of the inning.

In the top of the fifth, Bergey hit a double for the Bucks, but no runs crossed the plate. In the bottom of the inning, the Bucks own Carrie Ditty struck one batter out, while the fielders got out a batter at first base and one running for home in the same play.

Wagner had Bucktail’s lone hit and scored the team’s only run.

The Spartans saw Smith go 2 for 3 with a home run, two RBIs, a walk and stolen base and score twice. Adelyn Knight had three walks and stole base twice, Barlett had a double, walk and run scored, Kenna Fisher had three walks and scored twice, Bergey went 2 for 4 with a team-high four RBis and Bauman had a triple, stolen base and run scored.

The Spartans did score in the fifth, however, to extend the lead to 8-1.

In the sixth inning, Smith caught a pop up getting the batter out, while her teammate Henninger pitched, throwing strikes as the outfield took care of the rest. In the bottom of the inning, Smith stole third while Bergey hit a double. The Spartans would put the mercy-rule into effect with a three run performance to lead by 10.

Despite the win, Hughesville still has more to practice on Snyder noted.

“During practice, we’ll be working on diving back into the bases, and we’ll be working on base running for next time,” Snyder said. “For example, to go home when the first baseman’s holding the ball.”

Hughesville 11, Bucktail 1

(6 INNINGS)

Bucktail 000 100 — 1 1 3

Hughesville 313 013 — 11 6 0

Carrie Ditty, Lola English (5) and Eva Sockman. Maddie Smith, A. Henninger (6) and K. Peck. W: Smith. L: Ditty.

Top Bucktail hitters: Kendall Wagner 3B, run. Top Hughesville hitters: Maddie Smith 2-3, HR, BB, 2 RBIs, SB, 2 runs; Adelyn Knight 3 BB, 2 SBs, run; Ashlynn Barlett 2B, BB, run; Kenna Fisher 3 BBs, SB, 2 runs; Avery Bergey 2-4, 4 RBIs; Laurel Bauman 3B, SB, run.