Freshman Rilee George and sophomore Olivia Schick drove in three runs apiece to back Nicole Peak’s shutout in the circle to lead the Buckeye Valley softball team to a 10-0 victory in six innings over visiting Delaware Christian Monday in Delaware.
BV used a five-run fifth to blow the game open. George and Schick provided the big blows in the inning. George singled in two runs and Schick followed with a two-run double.
Peak tossed six shutout innings, allowing just three hits. She did it by throwing strikes and using her defense. She had 12 groundball outs and three strikeouts, throwing 85 pitches, including 62 for strikes.
“Everyone played really well and everyone hit really well – it wasn’t just one person,” George said. “There was great fielding and everyone did what they were supposed to.”
Offensively, it took the Barons (2-1) a couple of innings to get going. Peak finally broke the seal with a single to lead off the second inning. She later scored on a Paige Milhon groundout to give BV the lead. Peak scored three of BV’s runs for the game.
“(Peak) is someone we can count on. She’s an overall player, too,” Barons coach Christine Crooks said. “She can hit on the offensive side just as much as she can play on the defensive side. She can move the ball and she can bring the speed (in the circle).”
Lisa Leienberger bunted for a hit and made it all the way around to third on an error with one out in the second. She scored on a groundout by Cora Hollingsworth to push the lead to 2-0 through three.
Schick led off the fourth with a single, stole second and scored on George’s double to push it to 4-0 through four innings.
“(George) is a young athlete, so it’s a different level of play than what she’s used to. It’s nice to see her make a connection,” Crooks said. “(Schick) is a staple for us – she’s undoubtedly a leader on the field and she’s going to continue to be a leader, I have no doubt. Her swing is undoubtedly one of the best swings we have.”
Madie Morgan was strong early for Delaware Christian. She set down BV in order in the first with a pair of strikeouts and minimized the damage in the second, third and fourth innings.
But, she ran out of gas. She allowed five runs, three earned, on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts over 4.1 innings, but took the loss.
“Madie just ran out of gas,” Eagles coach Tom Morgan said. “Buckeye Valley has some good hitters … they’re going to have a good season.”
Kara Haskins, who finished the game in the circle, led the Eagles (0-1) with two hits.
DCS was scheduled to play a doubleheader against Centerburg and Whetstone in Columbus last Saturday to open the season, but all five seniors were stuck in Costa Rica after their flight was delayed because of mechanical issues.
“The senior class goes on a mission trip every year,” Morgan said. “This was their opportunity to go and serve in a country that has a lot less than we do here in America. It’s a good experience for them.”
Seniors Madie Morgan, Madisen Wallace, Caitlyn Ruminiski, Hope Clark and Julia Rogers were on mission with the DCS senior class.
“They finally got on a plane sometime Saturday morning and got back to Columbus about 10:30 Saturday night,” Morgan said.
These two teams are back at it today at Delaware Christian. First pitch is scheduled for 5:15 p.m.
Mount Vernon 11, Hayes 4
The Pacers didn’t start the season the way they would’ve liked, falling to host Mount Vernon Monday evening.
Hayes (0-1) scored the game’s first run in the top of the first inning. Amaia Daniel stroked a two-out double and Laiha Slayton followed with a sharp single to right to drive her in, but the Pacers managed just two hits the rest of the way.
Haley Osborne suffered the loss in the circle, allowing seven runs (four earned) on 12 hits in her four innings of work.
