Buckeye needed only one inning to seize control Wednesday, and Ava Piovarchy delivered the decisive swing. Piovarchy’s first-inning grand slam sparked an eight-run opening frame as the Bucks rolled past Valley Forge 15-0 in five innings at Buckeye High School.

The Bucks piled up 14 hits and never let the visitors settle in. Sarah Michaels helped start the first-inning surge with an RBI double, Piovarchy followed with the grand slam to left, Maddie Wilhelm drew a bases-loaded walk, Faith Shaw added another run with a walk, and Eleanor Shaw brought home a run on a groundout. Buckeye added two more runs in the second when Juliana Melillo tripled down the left-field line and McKenzie Cenname followed with an RBI single, stretching the lead even further.

Piovarchy finished with four RBIs on one hit, but Buckeye’s offense had production throughout the lineup. Melillo, hitting seventh, went 3 for 3 with three runs scored, one RBI and a triple.  went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, two RBIs and a triple. Michaels added a 2-for-4 day with a run scored, one RBI, two doubles and a stolen base as the Bucks kept pressure on Valley Forge from the first inning through the fifth.

In the circle, Olivia Piovarchy was dominant. The Buckeye starter struck out 11, allowed just one hit and did not walk a batter over five shutout innings. Valley Forge’s Martinez took the loss after allowing 15 runs on 14 hits in four innings.

Buckeye was just as sharp defensively, playing error-free softball behind its pitcher. Eleanor Shaw led the way with nine defensive plays. The afternoon also included a pair of notable personal moments, Makayla McNamee recorded her first varsity hit in the bottom of the fourth inning, and Lilly Young celebrated her birthday as part of the Bucks’ home victory.

With the win, Buckeye turned in one of its most complete performances of the season, combining timely extra-base hits, clean defense and overpowering pitching. The Bucks return to the field Thursday when they host North Olmsted as part of their Youth Night. Youth activities and introductions will start at 445