Fremd’s fine start continues against Lake Zurich
A year ago, Fremd’s softball season ended with a 4-3 loss to Lake Zurich in the sectional final.
Since that game, the Vikings have not lost.
Going up against the same Bears on Thursday in Palatine, Fremd extended its season-opening winning streak to nine games with a 13-3 victory in five innings.
“This is a great start,” said Vikings senior third baseman Brittany Ciura. “Now we just have to keep it going.”
Ciura and junior Michelle Mazur helped get things going in the bottom of the first when they slugged back-to-back homers over the left field fence for a 3-0 lead.
Ciura’s two-out blast came with Leigh Farina on second base following the sophomore’s one-out double to center. Mazur then belted a solo shot.
“Brittany really got us started,” Mazur said. “That really got everyone going.”
The Vikings finished the game with 12 hits, one day after beating Glenbrook North 2-1 with 4 hits.
“Since we didn’t hit that well Wednesday, this was a good day for us,” said Ciura, who went 2-for-3 with 4 RBI, including a 2-run single in the bottom of the fifth. “We were just coming back from spring break (against Glenbrook North) and it was the first time we’d seen live pitching in a while.
“Our pitching and defense have been good all season. Now we are hitting, which is great.”
Another big hitter for the Vikes was Farina, who went 2-for-2 with her first home runs, a double, 2 RBI, 3 runs and 2 walks.
Another top hitter was Mazur, who went 3-for-4 with the home run, 4 RBI and 2 walks.
“I don’t think we could have asked for anything better,” Mazur said. “Everyone stepped up and contributed.
“Obviously, last year was on our minds and we were all fired up to get some runs and go to work. We just came out to play and get the job done.”
Others getting the job for Fremd were Caitlin Patenaude (2-for-3, RBI single), Sara Untiedt (4 walks), Mandi Matusmoto (2 walks and a sacrifice), Megan Hubbard (single and reached base three times) and Kristine Herdegren (bases-loaded walk), Kristie Salerno (bunt single) and pinch hitter Janelle Schneider, who had an RBI single to center.
On the mound, junior Ashlynne Schwantz (4-0) notched the win with a 5-hitter and 3 strikeouts.
“I don’t know if it was our best offensive game but we had some good at-bats,” said Fremd coach Jim Weaver. “I’m proud of how the kids kept their composure in each at-bat. We had a better approach than Wednesday.”
Lake Zurich (4-7) all 3 of it runs when it tied the game in the top of the second inning.
Christina Sandstedt started the rally with a single and went to second on Mallory Parson’s sacrifice bunt. Carlee Parsons then drove a one-out single to right to score Sandstedt.
Ashley Pettinger followed with a 2-run homer to left center.
Maria Schroeder and Shannon McPeek had the other hits for the Bears.