Buckeye Softball pulls away early in 12-0 win over Bay
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| BUC | 2 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
Buckeye Softball broke the game open with early production and never let Bay settle in Monday, handing the Rockets a 12-0 loss at Bay High School in a game shortened to five innings. The decisive stretch came across the first, third and fourth innings, when Buckeye turned a quick two-run lead into a runaway behind timely extra-base power, aggressive baserunning and a dominant outing in the circle from Lilly Young.
Bay fell behind in the top of the first inning when Faith Shaw drove in a run on a flyout and Eleanor Shaw followed with an RBI single to center. The Bucks added four more in the third to seize control. Shaw homered to left field for two runs, and Kelsey Morano later singled to right field to bring home two more and push the lead to 6-0.
The game got away from the Rockets in the fourth, when Buckeye scored six runs on six hits. Shaw struck again with another two-run home run to left. Juliana Melillo added an RBI single, Buckeye’s No. 16 singled home a run, Melillo later scored after tagging up, and Sienna Berthold brought in another run on a groundout. Buckeye finished with 11 hits, drew eight walks and stole nine bases, with Sarah Michaels and Shaw each swiping multiple bags.
Young kept Bay’s lineup in check from start to finish. The right-hander allowed one hit over five scoreless innings, struck out 13 and did not issue a walk. Aleiyha Aponte took the loss for the Rockets after working three innings, allowing six runs on five hits with three strikeouts and five walks. Aponte also accounted for Bay’s lone hit, going 1-for-2 at the plate.
Buckeye was just as clean defensively as it was productive offensively. The Bucks did not commit an error, and Shaw led the way in the field with 13 chances while also driving in four runs from the No. 3 spot in the order. Morano, Shaw and Ava Piovarchy each collected two hits as Buckeye repeatedly applied pressure.
For Bay, the next opportunity comes quickly. The Rockets are scheduled to travel to Rocky River on Tuesday for their next game.
