RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
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ABOUT
It’s sometimes hard to get noticed for your softball skills when you come from a so-called “cold weather state” like Minnesota, but when you showcase your talents like 2021 right-handed pitcher Genevieve Ovsak did this last year, you’re going to get noticed wherever you’re from.
Possessing a low 60’s fastball, which seems even more explosive with her 43 mph change-up, she had a memorable 2017 summer for her Midwest Speed 14U Gold team compiling 133 K’s in 160 innings to led her team to a 5th place finish at PGF Platinum Nationals and a 9th place finish at the World Fastpitch Championship.
Genevieve then had a strong fall as she recorded a 1.73 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 68 innings while also hitting .378 with a .462 on-base percentage. Her strong second half of 2017 didn’t go unnoticed as she drew offers from Pac-12 and Big 12 schools, but the strong academics of Syracuse, including its Biochemistry program, made the Orange too tough to turn down.
The great opportunity to combine strong academics with softball at the college level excites the tall hurler who turned down warm-weather schools to play college ball in another state known for its biting cold winters.
“Pitching is my passion,” the freshman from Minnesota says, “and I am very grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given to play the game I love and for the amazing support I receive from my family, coaches, and teammates.”
Here’s a closer look at this talented player from the Midwest who has a very bright future ahead of her…
Name: GENEVIEVE OVSAK
Grad Year: 2021
Positions: Right handed pitcher/first baseman
Height: 5-foot-11
GPA: 3.9
ACT: 28
Travel Team: Midwest Speed 14U Gold
High School: Edina (Minnesota)
College: Syracuse (committed fall of 9th grade)
Academic Honors:
• Recognized by Northwestern University’s Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS) for proctored ACT composite score of 28 in 8th grade (Feb 2017)
• “A” Honor Roll 2014-2018
• FTC Robotics Team went to the 2016 State Tournament and won the Motivate Award (Nov 2016)
• Awarded the Seagate Rising Star Award & the Beta Lambda Psi Most Empowered Woman in Science Award at 2015 Minnesota State Science Fair
• Knowledge Bowl team – tied for 2nd place at 2015 Region Finals
Athletic Highlights (2017):
• Varsity Pitcher at Edina High School in Edina, Minnesota (8th grade); Class AAAA Lake Conference Champions (pitched every conference game inning); Class 4A Section 6 Runner-Up; 3x Star of the Week Athlete Sun Current Newspapers; 3x Max Preps Player of the Game; Awarded All-Conference, All-Section, and Best Defensive Player on Varsity
• 1st Place 14U Gold S&C Winter Bash Tournament w/ Midwest Speed 14U Gold, undefeated 4-0, 13 IP/ 25 K’s/ 1 ER
• 1st Place 14U S&C Turkey Trot Tournament undefeated 4-0, 1 ER/ 11.1 IP/ 21 K’s/ .618 ERA • 1st Place 14U Gold S&C USA Elite Select Labor Day Tournament w/ Midwest Speed 14U Gold, 13 IP/ 17 K’s, including 1 perfect game
• 1st Place 14U PGF Summer Sizzler Tournament undefeated 6-0
• 5th Place (out of 40 teams) 14U PGF Platinum Nationals in Irvine, CA w/ Midwest Speed ’02 Gold (earned invitational berth for 2018)
• 4th Place (out of 44 teams) 14U PGF Midwest Regional Championship, Peoria, Illinois, 53 IP/41 K’s (July 2017)
• 9th Place (out of 64 teams) 14U USA Elite Select World Fastpitch Championship, Shawnee, KS w/ Midwest Speed ’02 Gold
• 2nd Place 14U Gold PGF S&C Summer Tournament w/ Midwest Speed 2003 Gold, 27 IP/ 24 K’s
• 3rd Place PGF All-American Prospects Tournament with Midwest Speed 14U Gold, 18 IP/ 20 K’s
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Being that you play travel softball, you travel many weekends out of the year to tournaments, showcases and camps… how do you balance school and sports?
There is definitely some juggling involved when you need to be out of school a lot. Last semester alone, I missed my last class period 13 times due to softball. Yet, by staying on top of my assignments and working outside of school, I maintained A’s in my classes. To stay on track, I let my teachers know before I travel and make arrangements for any missed work. I am very thankful to have supportive teachers who understand my passion for softball.
Around what age did you know that you wanted to play collegiate softball?
When I was six-years-old, I would tag along to my older sister’s pitching lesson at the park and instead of playing on the playground I started begging her instructor, Jim Feldman, to give me a mini-lesson too because it looked so fun. Like many young softball players, I was also inspired after watching the Women’s College World Series. The players were amazing and everyone looked like they were having a blast bringing their “A” game. I have always strove to play at the highest and most competitive level I can. So, my dream to play at the collegiate level has always been one of the long-term goals that I have been working towards.
Around what age did you start attending college camps to get your name out there in the recruiting scene?
I feel like I started my recruiting process back when I was selected as a pitcher for the 11U Central/Midwest All-American USSSA Elite Select team after driving down to Nebraska for a tryout with my family when I was in 6th grade. It was through that opportunity that I first got connected with National Scouting Report (NSR) scouts and soon after started working with the National Softball Director, Robby Wilson. After becoming an NSR prospect, I went to my first college camps and unofficial visit in 7th grade. I received my first offer from a coach in 8th grade but I took my time and explored many different programs before committing in 9th grade. It really surprised me at first how quickly one thing can lead to another in the recruiting process. I have seen how a tournament may catch some coaches interest, then an elite prospects camp invitation or unofficial visit could follow, and the next thing you know you are sitting in a head coach’s office wondering how is this real right now? I am really grateful for all the cool campuses I have gotten to see and great people I have met over the years through softball.
What do you like most about softball? What keeps that desire going to play at the highest collegiate level?
I have always had a passion for softball. I started playing when I was really young and the fire has been burning ever since. I really love competing and honestly live for that feeling of having the ball in my hand while on the mound and knowing that I have the power to change the game with just the flick of my wrist. I also love the thrill of striking out batters, whether it was a battle or a quick “1, 2, 3,” it all motivates me to keep working hard on my mechanics. There is an instant euphoria that happens to me when I hear the ump yell “OUT!” after getting those three strikes in there. I hope that one day I’ll be able to get that same feeling pitching against some of the best college players out there.
What role does your family play in your travel softball?
My family is everything to me and has always been supportive of me. We are kind of like a small team that works together to help each other. If it wasn’t for my parents cheering me on all these years, driving me all over the country, and for my dad catching for me at lessons and at the park, there is no way I would’ve ever gotten to this point. My sister, Gracie, played softball and first got me interested in it. My brother, Gavin, is also supportive and always interested in hearing what’s new in my softball life. My mom tried catching for me when I was younger, but after a few big bruises now prefers to be out of the line of fire. She’s awesome though and we always have a fun time getting pumped up with good music on softball road trips together. There’s definitely no way I would be where I am without my family by my side.
If you could give recruiting advice to those in your class or those younger, what would it be?
I’d recommend to younger softball players to focus on their skills, listen to their coaches, and know that they should put into the game what they personally want out of it. If you are aiming high and want to be the best there is then go for it! Know though that if you want to reach that challenging goal you are going to have to work much harder than the players around you. I think the saying that, “You need to do what others won’t do, in order to get where others aren’t going” is very true. By putting your best effort into what you do, you will always be proud of the product you become, and the game will give you what you put into it. Be sure to also stop and thank those that help you along your way to achieving your dreams. Also, don’t do it alone. Having someone advise you that has those connections and experience makes the process quick, painless, exciting, and obviously, rewarding.
QUICK HITTERS…
My favorite part of being an athlete is: the relationships that are formed with your teammates and coaches
Favorite place to shop: Francesca’s because you never know what you might find there
What is the next thing you are going to buy/ask for that you absolutely don’t need? concert tickets to Shawn Mendes (please!)
Favorite food: bright orange cheese balls
If you could have a super power, what would you want it to be? I’d love to speak ALL languages, so I can talk to everyone!
One thing you won’t be caught dead doing: eating deviled eggs!
Nicknames: G, G-Rex, G-Money, Vivi, Jenoveva
Favorite Actor/Actress: Anne Hathaway
Best Christmas Present: stand-up paddle board
Do you have any softball superstitions? My hair needs to be in a big braid for all games and practices and I never chew gum while playing softball