Garfield rolls to a 16-1 opening day win over Windham behind complete game from Genovese

GARRETTSVILLE, OH- On Saturday afternoon the Garfield Lady G-MEN softball squad hosted rival Windham in the season opener for both teams. Conditions were less than favorable as the game began with wind, rain and a temperature of 45 degrees that steadily dropped throughout finishing in the 30’s with snow flurries. The G-MEN came in with high expectations for their veteran team this season while the Bombers are young but talented.

After a 1-2-3 first for Juliana Genovese on the mound with a pair of strikeouts, Garfield put up a four spot.

Juliana Genovese strikes out her second batter to end the 1st for Garfield

Three straight walks to begin the game followed by a two-run double from Emily Knerem got the offense rolling for Garfield. They led 4-0 after one.

Emily Knerem smacks a 2-run double down the 3rd base line for the G-MEN in the 1st

Windham would threaten in the top of the 2nd following singles by McKenna Jones and Skylar Bailey put two on with one out, but Genovese struck out the final two batters to get out of the inning after a run scored on a wild pitch. Garfield led 4-1.

Genovese strikes out the final batter of the 2nd stranding a runner at 2nd

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Garfield would strike again in inning two for a pair of runs. Brooke Hrabek led off the inning with a double. After she reached 3rd on a wild pitch, Charlee Hill laid down a bunt single scoring Hrabek. Emily Knerem followed up with her second run scoring double in as many innings putting the G-MEN up 6-1. Bombers pitcher Libby Inman was able to strike out a pair to end the damage. The G-MEN led 6-1 after two.

Emily Knerem with another run scoring double for Garfield in the 2nd

After a 1-2-3 top of the 3rd for Genovese, Garfield would tack on three more on an Annie Rado RBI double, Charlee Hill RBI single and Kolby Fresch RBI triple to take a 9-1 lead after three.

Windham would get two runners aboard in the top of the fourth on single by Kyliegh Simpson and Bailey, but were not able to score as Genovese continued to dominate on the mound.

The G-MEN would score six runs in the bottom of the fourth with Genovese and Olivia Zicari picking up RBI hits as they envoked the 10-run rule taking a 16-1 lead after four.

Genovese would finish off the win by striking out the side in the 5th to complete the 16-1 win.

Juliana Genovese finishes off the game with her 11th strikeout

Emily Knerem led the way on offense for Garfield going 2/3 with the pair of doubles and 3 RBI. Charlee Hill also had a pair of hits and 2 RBI. Genovese was outstanding on the mound going the distance allowing a run on 4 hits with no walks and striking out 11.