Buckeye blanks Normandy 21-0 behind Morano's four RBIs and 13-run fourth
Buckeye rolled past Normandy 21-0 on Monday at Buckeye High School, breaking the game open for good with a 13-run fourth inning and getting four RBIs from Kelsey Morano. The biggest swing came late in that outburst, when Morano launched a three-run home run to center field, part of a two-hit day that helped send the Bucks to the five-inning win.
Buckeye set the tone early. In the first inning, Faith Shaw singled home a run, Eleanor Shaw doubled in two more, and Kenzie Cenname added an RBI groundout as the Bucks jumped in front 4-0. They added three more runs in the second when Normandy committed an error, Sarah Michaels singled down the left-field line, and Eleanor Shaw lifted a sacrifice fly. Maddie Wilhelm then singled to right in the third to make it 8-0 before Buckeye's lineup erupted again in the fourth.
That final push featured production from throughout the order. Eleanor Shaw doubled in a run, an error brought home two more, Morano followed with an RBI single, and Juliana Melillo added a run-scoring single. Olivia Piovarchy drove in two with a single, Sienna Berthold singled in another run, Cassie Minarchick added an RBI single, Ava Piovarchy singled home one, and Morano capped the inning with the three-run homer. Buckeye finished with 21 hits in all.
Several Bucks turned in standout afternoons at the plate. Faith Shaw went 3 for 3, Eleanor Shaw finished 3 for 3 with four RBIs, and Melillo went 3 for 4. Morano matched Eleanor Shaw with four RBIs, while Minarchick, Michaels and Ava Piovarchy also recorded multiple hits. Buckeye added pressure on the bases as well, stealing five bags, with Wilhelm and Piovarchy each swiping multiple bases.
Lilly Young handled the rest in the circle. The right-hander worked all five innings, allowing three hits and no runs while striking out seven and walking none. Buckeye backed that effort with a clean defensive game, committing no errors and turning one double play. Eleanor Shaw led the club defensively with seven chances.
Ramirez took the loss for Normandy after allowing 21 runs, nine earned, on 21 hits over four innings. For Buckeye, the result added another emphatic home performance on Educator Night. The Bucks are scheduled to travel to Valley Forge for their next game.
