If the Garfield G-Men softball team’s first three Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Tier games are any indication of what future league games are like, they will have their work cut out for them after being shut out by MVAC Grey Tier foe LaBrae 18-0 in five innings last Saturday in Garrettsville.
“I think we play too tight when we know we are up against a good team and LaBrae is a good team,” said Coach Tina Faulhaber. “LaBrae is a good team, they hit the ball hard, hit the ball hard last time and hit the ball hard this time. I think once we got down by five runs in the first, it was hard for us to try and pick ourselves back up.”
The G-Men (1-3, 0-3) have already played three MVAC Grey Tier games out of their first four contests and remain winless in league play. In addition to having not won a MVAC Grey Tier game yet, Garfield’s offense has yet to come alive, as it has combined for only two runs in all three of their losses.
Garfield was once again swept in the season series by the Vikings for the third straight season, which extends its losing streak against LaBrae to seven games, with its last victory against its league rivals coming in 2023.
On Saturday, Garfield fell into a five-run hole before even coming to bat as the Vikings sent 11 batters to the plate and scored five runs in the top of the first inning.
LaBrae batters strung together eight consecutive hits against senior right-hander Annie Rado, highlighted by a RBI-single from junior Mariah Jones, a two-run single to center field by junior Leah DeArmitt, a RBI-single to center field by Isabella Michael and a RBI-single from senior Makenzie Lichty before Rado recorded the first out.
The Vikings’ offensive eruption continued in the top of the second, as LaBrae scored eight runs on seven hits and one walk.
After four of the first five LaBrae hitters successfully reached base, increasing the Vikings’ lead to 8-0, Garfield’s deficit reached double-digits as junior Riley Rowe socked a two-run single into left field, pushing its lead to double-digits with a 10-0 advantage.
Garfield’s offense could not muster a response, as the G-Men went just two-for-17 at the plate, working only one walk and struck out nine times.
According to the 17-year coach, the G-Men’s offensive woes can be attributed to allowing slow starts at the plate dictate the entirety of their offensive approach throughout a game.
“We have played against LaBrae twice and struggled both times. In the Southeast game, we struggled with the pitcher in that game,” she added. “I think we get in our heads if the first three batters strike out or don’t get on base, that gets in the head of everyone else. Like how hitting is contagious, not hitting seems to be contagious.”
LaBrae scored five runs across the next two innings to push its lead to 18-0 and the G-Men’s offense remained silent, triggering the mercy rule after the fifth inning as the Vikings held a lead greater than 10 runs.
Although it has only been four games played thus far for the G-Men, Faulhaber acknowledged that the team had reached a crossroad in the season, as the players’ resolve was already being tested.
“We talked a lot about the mental game and mental toughness,” she said. “We have skills, but we are just lacking the mental side of it, the focus, the energy, and the knowledge of what to do in game situations. We are missing that mental side and the toughness to say that we are down by 10 runs, but I am going to go hit the ball.”
Although it seems to be a bleak start to the season for the G-Men, Faulhaber said that the team’s belief has not wavered. They are ready to challenge themselves to fight their way back with better play, as the squad is not even halfway done with the remainder of MVAC Grey Tier play.
“This will be a good test for us to see if we can pick ourselves up from this rough start and how we do against Champion, whether we bring them a game,” she said. “That will be a good test for us.”
After a home-and-away series against MVAC Grey Tier rival Champion on Monday and Tuesday, a home duel against John F. Kennedy Catholic on Wednesday, a home contest against Portage County rival Rootstown on Thursday, the G-Men will compete in a double-header, facing Portage County rivals Streetsboro and Crestwood at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. respectively on Saturday afternoon at Veterans Stadium in Streetsboro.
