By Kristi McDevitt
Sports Correspondent
The varsity sluggers continue to fight their way to the top in the Metro league.
Oxford is currently tied for First Place with two opponents left in league action.
Oxford faced off with Lapeer East last Monday.
In game one, the Wildcat defense held strong behind sophomore Jeremy Bukoski’s impressive showing on the mound.
Bukoski allowed only three hits and struck out seven Eagle batters for his fourth complete shutout of the season- three of them in Metro League play. Senior David Fischer scored on Eagle error in the first inning, and had an RBI single in the fifth inning to score senior Brandon Dugan.
In the nightcap, both teams were scoreless in the first five innings until Oxford scored in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI single by senior Brett Brammer.
East scored in the seventh to tie the game a one run apiece.
It was up to Oxford’s offense to get the job done in the bottom of the inning to break the tie.
Junior Tim Shafto was first up and his patience at the plate earned him a walk. He advanced to second on a Mike Jones single.
Shafto, running from second base, scored the winning run on a sacrifice bunt by Jeremy Bukoski, which was mishandled by the East defense.
Shafto pitched all seven innings, scattering five hits and striking out four Eagles.
Head coach Kurt Nuss acknowledges his squads defense and overall improvement for their current First Place standing.
‘Its now a four game season for the league title with two quality teams in Linden and Fenton,? he stated. ‘Defensively we have been playing very well and our bats are starting to show signs of life. This improvement has to continue for us to have a legitimate shot [at winning the league]. Our goal is to compete and battle on every pitch and see what happens.?
Oxford’s record improves to 6-2 in the FML and 12-10 overall.