Softball Game Preview: Buckeye Hawks vs. Youngker Roughriders

For the second straight game, Buckeye will face off against Youngker. The Hawks will venture away from home to take on the Roughriders at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Buckeye knows how to get runs on the board -- the team has finished with ten runs or more in their past seven matches -- so hopefully Youngker likes a good challenge.

Last Tuesday, Buckeye made easy work of Youngker and carried off a 13-5 victory. The Hawks might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won ten games by eight runs or more this season.

Hailee Paladini

Batters Struck Out

04/01/25 vs Youngker	7
03/31/25 vs Paradise Valley	11
03/27/25 @ Desert Edge	7
03/19/25 vs North	7
03/04/25 vs Kellis	6

Hailee Paladini spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered five runs (all of which were unearned) on four hits and racked up seven Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in five consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Val Villa was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and one triple. Kaleikaumaka Ellis was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing three bases while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances.

Villa wasn't the only one working in the hit department: Buckeye kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least nine hits in five consecutive contests.

Buckeye pushed their record up to 10-3 with the win, which was their fourth straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.8 runs over those games. As for Youngker, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-7.