WARRIORS WIN IN TIGHT BATTLE AGAINST EAGLES
Story by Larry Jennings:
Geneva, OH- In a thrilling softball showdown, the Edgewood Warriors emerged victorious, defeating the Geneva Eagles with a final score of 4-2 on Friday at Geneva High School. Spearheading Edgewood’s impressive performance was right-handed pitcher Lucianna Paolillo, who delivered a stellar pitching display to lead the Warriors to victory.
Paolillo showcased his dominance on the mound, striking out an impressive 12 batters over seven innings of play. Despite facing formidable opposition, Paolillo remained composed, allowing six hits and two runs while issuing three walks throughout the game.
The Warriors wasted no time asserting their presence on the scoreboard, with Paolillo leading the charge in the top of the first inning. A sacrifice fly by Paolillo and a groundout by Makenna Rhodes each contributed to Edgewood’s early lead, setting the tone for the rest of the game. The Warriors continued to add to their lead in the second inning, with Paolillo’s single driving in another run, bringing the score to 3-0 in favor of Edgewood.
Geneva fought back in the bottom of the 4th inning, as Alyssa Palmisano’s homer to left field scored two runs, narrowing the gap in the scoreline. However, their efforts fell short as Edgewood maintained their lead until the final out.
Despite the loss, Geneva’s pitcher, Annabelle Bragg, put up a commendable performance, pitching a complete game and giving up only four runs, three earned, on 10 hits. She struck out four batters and issued two walks.
Offensively, Edgewood displayed their prowess at the plate, accumulating a total of 10 hits throughout the game. Paolillo played a crucial role in the lineup, driving in two runs for the Warriors while going 1 for 3 on the day. Natalie Ianetta, Carly Kray, and Avery Vencill each collected two hits, further solidifying Edgewood’s offensive dominance.
Defensively, the Warriors were impeccable, turning one double play and committing zero errors in the field. Natalie Ianetta made the most plays with 13, showcasing Edgewood’s sure-handedness and defensive prowess.
For Geneva, Alyssa Palmisano and Caidyn Siegel emerged as formidable offensive threats, collecting two hits each while batting back-to-back in the lineup. Palmisano led Geneva with two runs batted in, providing a significant contribution to their offensive effort.
With this impressive victory secured, the Edgewood Varsity Warriors look ahead to their next challenge as they prepare for a game against West Geauga on Saturday. As they continue their season, the Warriors aim to build upon their success and maintain their momentum as they strive for further victories on the softball diamond. The Geneva Eagles look to rebound against the Madison Blue Streaks on Saturday.
