GENOA – Olivia Simmons wants her name in the Genoa-Kingston softball record books.
After starting her sophomore campaign with a home run in her first at-bat, she noted that she is only 17 away from the career record.
Simmons hit her third career home run and pitched three scoreless innings as the Cogs opened the season with a 12-2 win Wednesday against Indian Creek.
“I have three years left, so my goal is to break a record,” Simmons said with a laugh. “So, I need 18 more to break a record. Well, 17 now.”
The Cogs (1-0) exploded for six runs in the first inning, including a three-run blast by Simmons. They tacked on four runs in the second, boosted by a two-run triple from Leah Fowler.
G-K banged out 11 hits in the win.
“Genoa is a good team, so it’s always a challenge,” Indian Creek coach Jeremy Lowe said. “Those girls can hit.”
G-K coach Mike Lauer said he was pleased with the way the offense performed in the 40-degree weather and a stiff wind.
“Hitting the ball on a cold day is pretty exciting,” Lauer said. “They hit well, were pretty selective.”
The Timberwolves (0-1) broke through with an unearned run off Ashley Clemente in the fourth, with Hailey Herrmann scoring after a double. Jesika Lowe tripled in the fifth and scored on a groundout by Autumn Johanningsmeier.
Lowe said the wind played tricks on the Indian Creek outfielders.
“We came out here and battled as hard as we could,” Jeremy Lowe said. “We struggled on some of the fly balls and were really chasing the wind. But early-season game, we did the best we could.”
By the numbers: The Timberwolves had four hits, including a 3-for-3 showing from Herrmann. Clemente was 3 for 3 for the Cogs and scored three times. Fowler drove in three runs, and Maddy McCarthy had four RBIs in a 3-for-3 game. Fowler and Simmons each had two hits. Madison Wagner scored twice for G-K. Simmons got the win in three innings, and Jesika Lowe took the loss, pitching four innings.
Beyond the stats: The Cogs are a Class 3A team that won more than 20 games last season; the Timberwolves are in Class 1A and were regional champs last season.
They said it: “She had good movement on her pitches and spotted some good 0-2 counts, 1-2, stuff like that,” Lauer said of Simmons’ pitching performance. “She did a nice job. Both pitchers moved the ball well.”
Up next: The Cogs host Somonauk at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, while the Timberwolves travel to IMSA at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
