Buckeye Softball defeats Bay 4-0

Buckeye Softball broke a scoreless game in the third inning and went on to hand Bay a 4-0 loss Tuesday at Buckeye High School.

The decisive stretch came when Buckeye capitalized on a Bay error in the third to score the game’s first run. That opening proved enough support for Buckeye pitcher Lilly Young, who controlled the game from the circle. The right-hander worked 6 2/3 innings, allowed three hits, struck out 14 and walked two as the Rockets were unable to mount a late rally.

Bay still received a steady outing from Aleiyha Aponte, who kept the Rockets within reach for much of the afternoon. Aponte went six innings and allowed four runs, none of them earned, on three hits. She struck out six and walked one, but Buckeye made the most of its limited chances while Bay could not turn its baserunners into runs.

Julia Mavis, Aponte and Ava Bottone accounted for Bay’s offense with one hit apiece. The Rockets had trouble stringing together contact against Young, whose strikeout total prevented Bay from building momentum at the plate.

Buckeye finished with three hits, one each from Maddie Wilhelm, Kelsey Morano and Ryenne Ford. Eleanor Shaw and Ford each drove in a run from the middle of the lineup, and Buckeye backed its pitching with a clean defensive game. The Bucks did not commit an error, and Shaw led the way defensively with 15 chances.

Tuesday’s game was played at Buckeye High School in Medina. Bay now turns its attention to Wednesday’s matchup against North Olmsted.