Garfield tops Windham 11-1 in a special “Strikeout Cancer” game
Garfield G-MEN and Windham Bombers softball teams lineup before the “Strikeout Cancer” game
GARRETTSVILLE, OH- It was a beautiful sunny and 70 degree day in Garrettsville on Saturday as long time rivals met on the diamond to wrap up the regular season. The Garfield G-MEN hosted the Windham Bombers in what was much more than just a regular season finale softball game. This game was dubbed as the “Strikeout Cancer” game to commemorate Brian Hahn’s battle with the disease. It also served as a cancer awareness and fundraiser for cancer research, detection and treatment. There was a Chinese Auction of donated items and a concession stand with some delicious donated burgers and hot dogs. The Garrettsville and Windham communities once again came together for a great cause!
As for the game itself, Garfield continued their hot play of late and rolled to an 11-1 win.
Juliana Genovese took the mound for the G-MEN and retired the Bombers in order in the 1st. Libby Inman was on the mound for the Bombers to start the bottom half. It began with consecutive walks to Brooke Hrabak and Charlee Hill. The runners advanced on a catcher error that also allowed Hrabak to score the first run of the game. Kolby Fresch then blasted one over the centerfield fence for a 2-run homerun. It was her second straight game going deep. Garfield held a 3-0 lead after one.
Kolby Fresch hits a 2-run homerun for the G-MEN in the 1st
Genovese once again retired the Bombers in order in the 2nd inning, this time striking out the side.
Juliana Genovese ends the 2nd inning with a strikeout, striking out the side
Inman would hold the G-MEN to a single but no damage in the bottom of the 2nd. Garfield led 3-0 after two.
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The Bombers would get on the board in the top of the 3rd. After a 1-out single by Alexandria Hudak and a fielder’s choice by Kierrah Sanders, Makenzie Blockinger sent a fly ball down the right field line that went of the glove of Hill allowing Sanders to score and Blockinger to reach third. Genovese was able to get Brielle Jones to ground out to end the inning. Garfield led 3-1.
Windham scores on a three base error for Makenzie Blockinger in the 3rd
Garfield would blow it open in the bottom of the 3rd. Fresch reached on an outfield error to start the inning. Genovese singled to left that would score Fresch after a misplay by the left fielder. After an Olivia Zicari walk, Olivia Bailey ripped a double to left scoring Genovese.
Olivia Bailey rips a double to left bringing home a run for the G-MEN in the 3rd
The next better Annie Rado sent a slow chopper to first that was misplayed allowing a run to score. After another run scored on a wild pitch, Kailyn Tasker reached on an infield single scoring Rado. They would add one more on an infield error for a 6-run 3rd increasing their lead to 9-1 after three.
Kailyn Tasker beats out an infield single driving in a run in the 3rd
Genovese had another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the 4th for Garfield. The G-MEN would add two more in the bottom half. Zicari led off with a double. Following a strikeout, Rado reached on a dropped infield pop fly. Zicari would come home on a wild pitch before Tenley Korosec blooped a single to shallow right scoring Rado. The G-MEN led 11-1 after four.
Tenley Korosec bloops an RBI single to right scoring the final G-MEN run of the game
It was a quick 1-2-3 top of the 5th for Genovese as she made the put out on the final play to seal the win for Garfield.
Genovese makes the play to end the 11-1 Garfield victory
Genovese went the distance for Garfield allowing only 3 hits and no earned runs while striking out 6. She was also 2/3 at the plate. Korosec also delivered 2 hits and an RBI.
Garfield will open OHSAA tournament play on Wednesday when they travel to Pymatuning Valley. The Bombers will travel to Heartland Christian that same day for their tournament opener.
