Buckeye opens Prebis Memorial Classic with 11-0 win over Medina before falling to Perrysburg in nightcap
Buckeye opened its Saturday at the Prebis Memorial Classic with a decisive 11-0 win over Medina, using a seven-run second inning and a grand slam from Juliana Melillo to break the game open at Victory Sports Park in North Ridgeville.
Playing in mid-40s temperatures with light rain that made conditions difficult throughout the day, the Bucks handled the opener with timely hitting, disciplined at-bats and a clean defensive effort. Melillo delivered the biggest swing of the game in the second inning, driving a grand slam to left field as part of a rally that turned a solid start into a runaway. Ava Piovarchy added a two-run double in the inning, and another run scored on an error as Buckeye took firm control.
The Bucks had already built an early lead in the first. Faith Shaw doubled down the left-field line, and Buckeye continued to pressure Medina with patient plate appearances. Kenzie Cenname and Kelsey Morano were each hit by a pitch, and Morgan Haas drew a walk, with each sequence helping produce runs as Buckeye moved in front 4-0. The offense stayed aggressive but selective all game, finishing with eight walks, four stolen bases and no letup in pressure.
Lilly Young took care of the rest in the circle. The right-hander tossed five scoreless innings, allowing four hits while striking out nine and walking one. Behind her, Buckeye did not commit an error. Sarah Michaels handled 11 chances in the field, and the defense consistently converted plays to keep Medina from mounting any threat. Shaw went 2-for-3 to lead the Bucks in hits, and Maddie Wilhelm stole two bases in the win.
Buckeye's second game of the doubleheader brought a stiffer test against perennial state power Perrysburg, which pulled away for a 14-8 victory. Michaels collected three hits in four at-bats, with singles in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings. Ava Piovarchy also had three hits, Cassie Minarchick added two, and the Bucks finished with 13 hits overall. Faith Shaw drove in three runs from the middle of the lineup, while Minarchick drew two walks as Buckeye again showed patience at the plate with five total walks.
Olivia Piovarchy took the loss in the nightcap after working 4 1/3 innings and allowing 10 runs, seven earned, on nine hits with four walks. Even in defeat, Buckeye continued to manufacture offense, stealing five bases with Michaels swiping two. The split sends the Bucks into Monday's matchup against Rocky River after a day that featured one dominant opener, a challenging late test, and another reminder of the lineup's ability to create traffic on the bases even in tough weather.
