Buckeye tops Padua Franciscan 7-4 to advance to District Finals behind Young’s 10 strikeouts and Michaels’ early home run

MEDINA, Ohio - Buckeye rode an early home run from Sarah Michaels and a 10-strikeout complete game from Lilly Young to a 7-4 softball win over Padua Franciscan on Tuesday.

The decisive swing came in the first inning, when Michaels homered to left field to put the Bucks in front 2-0. That fast start gave Young room to work in the circle, and Buckeye added enough offense across the afternoon to stay in control despite rainy, cool conditions.

Young went all seven innings for Buckeye, allowing six hits and four runs while walking one. She consistently got ahead in counts and finished with 10 strikeouts, helping the Bucks close out Padua Franciscan whenever the Bruins threatened. Alexandra Camarati took the loss for Padua Franciscan after pitching six innings. The left-hander allowed seven runs, five earned, on eight hits with seven strikeouts and three walks.

Buckeye’s lineup produced steady pressure beyond Michaels’ home run. Michaels finished with two hits and two RBIs, while Kelsey Morano and Ava Piovarchy also collected two hits apiece. Eleanor Shaw drove in two runs as part of a balanced offensive effort that kept traffic on the bases throughout the game.

The Bucks were especially aggressive on the basepaths, piling up nine stolen bases. Morano, Faith Shaw, Michaels and Maddie Wilhelm each stole multiple bases, turning singles and walks into scoring opportunities and putting constant pressure on Padua Franciscan’s defense.

Padua Franciscan was led by Julia Ezzie and Alanah Benson, who had two hits each. Benson and Camarati both drove in a run for the Bruins, and the middle of the order provided some resistance late. Buckeye, though, answered with enough pitching and timely offense to secure the 7-4 result. The Bucks are scheduled to travel to Valley Forge for their next game Thursday with a chance to claim the CWC Conference Championship with a win.