Buckeye falls to Westlake 12-2 after third-inning grand slam

Westlake broke the game open with a four-run third inning, highlighted by Gavin McMillen’s grand slam, and handed Buckeye a 12-2 loss Thursday at Westlake High School.

Buckeye struck first in the opening inning. Logan Brown delivered a single that brought home the game’s first run, giving the Bucks an early 1-0 lead. Westlake answered quickly in the bottom of the first, turning the game with a three-run frame. Nicholas Sherwood tripled to drive in two runs, and Benjamin Lasinis followed with a sacrifice fly for a 3-1 advantage.

The decisive moment came in the bottom of the third. After Westlake had already created traffic on the bases, McMillen sent a grand slam to left field, capping a four-run inning and stretching the lead to 7-1. Buckeye continued to compete offensively, but the gap created in the middle innings proved too large to overcome.

Zach Seeley provided Buckeye’s most consistent production at the plate, going 3 for 3. He doubled in the first inning, singled in the third and added another single in the fifth. Seeley also pressured Westlake on the bases, stealing three bags as Buckeye finished with six stolen bases in the game.

Jeff Costigan and Brown each drove in a run for the Bucks. Buckeye collected four hits and showed clean defense throughout, committing no errors. Costigan handled five chances in the field, the most on the team.

On the mound, Ryan Camden earned the win for Westlake after allowing four hits and two runs over five innings. He struck out five and walked four. Shane Metter took the loss for Buckeye, working four innings and allowing nine runs on eight hits while striking out four and walking three. Despite the result, Buckeye got an encouraging all-around effort from Seeley and aggressive baserunning that produced pressure throughout the afternoon.