Grueling first-round draws, a district final loss to an eventual state champion and a lost COVID season were among the culprits, as great teams came and went without securing that coveted quarterfinal bid. Among those groups, none were more familiar with that heartache than its current core.

However, heading into Monday’s first-round contest at Greenwood, the Bucks wasted little time focusing on the past. Things got tight late, and at some points, the prospect of that streak continuing seemed plausible. But their eyes stayed deadlocked on what was right in front of them.

And now, that curse-laden streak is no more.

Carrie Ditty pitched an exceptional five innings in relief, striking out eight and holding Greenwood to three hits and an unearned run. And in a pitcher’s duel where every run proved vital, Kelsie Wagner stole home in the top of the seventh to secure the go-ahead run, as Bucktail notched its first PIAA Class A win in program history by a score of 3-2.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Bucktail softball players high five at the mound during an earlier game against Sugar Valley. The Bucks earned their first PIAA win on Monday, defeating Greenwood, 3-2.

It certainly wasn’t pretty, with its typically potent offense being held to four hits and multiple errors presenting Greenwood with opportunities. But each time those opportunities came up, Bucktail held firm, never trailing on a road field two hours away from home.

“Just a lot of emotion,” said Poorman on what was going through his head following the win. “These girls, especially the seniors, have worked extremely hard throughout their careers. And for it to finally pay off in a tough game like that, it’s just awesome.”

“I’m just really proud of everyone, especially the senior girls and whole team for executing when we needed to execute,” emphasized senior Makenna Stone. “It wasn’t the prettiest game, but we got it done. It’s great that me and my friends can be able to say that we won a states game for the first time in school history.”

As the later innings took shape, the chances of Monday’s game turning Greenwood’s way or requiring extras seemed likely. A fielding error and hesitant fielder’s choice allowed the Wildcats to even the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth, and Greenwood’s field did away with Bucktail’s top of the order in the frame that followed.

But Bucktail’s field responded accordingly, stranding a runner at second to maintain the tide. Then, Wagner created the opportunity the Bucks needed off the rip.

HENRY HUBER/Special to the Sun-Gazette The Bucktail softball team poses for a photo following a PIAA Class A matchup against Greenwood on Monday, June 1, 2026, at Greenwood High School. The Bucks won 3-2, earning their first state win in program history.

After seeing a well-hit liner on her previous at-bat get snagged, the freshman ensured the next was nowhere near Greenwood’s gloves. She made great contact on a first-pitch fast ball, launching a bomb over the head of left fielder Kamryn Walton for a timely double before securing third on the ensuing, inerrant throw.

From there, it was just a matter of waiting for the opportunity to strike. Though two outs came and went, Wagner remained locked in on home. And when Greenwood’s pitch found the fence behind its catcher, the freshman bolted, diving headfirst to ensure she got there on time and granting Bucktail its third – and final – lead in the process.

“I knew that I’d be the one to do it,” said Wagner on scoring the go-ahead run. “She missed a couple (pitches) down there, so I just took advantage of that and did it.”

“It was my chance to win this game for us. Felt really good to have that opportunity for me and my team to help us move on,” she added.

With that, all that stood between Bucktail and history were three outs. And though Greenwood’s lineup would reset one batter into the seventh, Ditty saved her best for last, striking out not one, not two but three batters in a row to clinch Bucktail’s 3-2 win.

HENRY HUBER/Special to the Sun-Gazette Bucktail's Carrie Ditty pitches during a PIAA Class A matchup against Greenwood on Monday, June 1, 2026, at Greenwood High School. The Bucks won 3-2, earning their first state win in program history.

“I think I just did what I had to do,” said Ditty, who surpassed 200 career strikeouts in Monday’s win. “I put pressure on myself, but I also tried to think of it as just a game. It’s a pretty big game, but it’s still a game at the end of the day. I just need to do what I do every game, and I did that.”

Bucktail’s closing act complemented its first, which saw the Bucks take one-run leads in both the first and third.

In the first, senior Lola English led things off with a full-count walk, with Stone helping her get all the way to third with a well-placed sacrifice bunt. From there, she was able to get home on a fielder’s choice, putting the first run on the board for the Bucks.

And in the third, with the score tied at 1-1, back-to-back singles from Stone and Kendall Wagner allowed Bucktail to reclaim the lead. Stone stole second on Wagner’s at-bat. And when Wagner hit an infield grounder and drew attention at first, Stone used that chance to sprint from second to home, clearing Greenwood’s throw with room to spare.

“I spend all my off season in the weight room, and I think that is a big reason why I’m good at base running,” said Stone when discussing the run. “I think it’s one of the strongest benefits I bring to this team.”

HENRY HUBER/Special to the Sun-Gazette Bucktail's Kelsie Wagner pitches during a PIAA Class A matchup against Greenwood on Monday, June 1, 2026, at Greenwood High School. The Bucks won 3-2, earning their first state win in program history.

With the win, Bucktail (17-5) is set to take the field again for Thursday’s quarterfinals. There, it will take on District 11 power Tri-Valley (17-5), who’s coming off a 7-1 win over District 1 champ Dock Mennonite (16-7).

“The biggest thing is that, if we can pitch, we’ve just got to hit a little better,” said Poorman on his team’s focus heading into Thursday. “Our top’s got to hit a little bit better, and I think we will.”

“We’re going to go in confident and try to do what we did today,” said Stone. “Just win. It doesn’t matter how we win. Just win.”

Time and location for Thursday’s contest is to be determined.

Bucktail 3, Greenwood 2

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Bucktail's Eva Sockman runs to first during an earlier game against Sugar Valley. The Bucks earned their first PIAA win on Monday, defeating Greenwood, 3-2.

Bucktail 101 000 1 – 3 4 2

Greenwood 010 010 0 – 2 5 0

Kelsie Wagner, Carrie Ditty (3) and Eva Sockman. Makenzie Devore and Nicole Herr. W – Ditty. L – Devore. SV – Ditty.

Top Bucktail hitters: Kendall Wagner 1-2, RBI; Kelsie Wagner 1-3, 2B, run; Makenna Stone 1-2, run; Eva Sockman 1-3, RBI; Lola English run. Top Greenwood hitters: Becca Markel 2-3; Kylie Willow 1-3, run; Makenzie Devore 1-3, RBI; Sammi Cuccia 1-3, 2B.