Farina fits in off the bench for Fremd

Nursing a knee injury from last Friday, Leigh Farina has yet to return to her shortstop position for Fremd’s softball team.

But she was cleared by the doctor to play on Wednesday.

Fremd coach Jim Weaver was in no hurry to get his sophomore back into the infield with the state playoffs beginning next week.

So he played it cautiously and Sara Untiedt is still handling the shortstop duties.

But Weaver did call upon Farina’s bat on Wednesday against visiting Rolling Meadows.

In a scoreless tie, he sent the sophomore up as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the sixth inning with one out and runners on second and third.

Farina’s bat was hardly rusty from the time off.

She promptly drilled a double off the left field fence for a 2-0 lead.

Junior first baseman Michelle Mazur then hit the ball over the left field fence for a 2-run homer and Fremd (26-7) won its penultimate game of the regular season 4-, in the Mid-Suburban League second-place crossover.

“That’s a nice bat to have off the bench,” said Weaver of Farina’s big double..

Mazur, who along with Megan Hubbard has more than 50 hits this season, kept things rolling with her sixth homer of the season.

“What a big hit by Leigh,” Mazur said. “That kind of calmed me down. There wasn’t so much pressure.”

Fremd senior Rachel Doering (14-4) threw a 4-hitter for the shutout, striking out five.

Mustangs junior Sara Brunlieb (12-7) faced only one batter over the minimum through the first five innings before a bunt single by Ashlynne Schwantz (went to second on an error) and infield single by Mandi Matsumoto (2-for-3) set up Farina’s big at-bat.

“Coach said I would probably hit in the game, so I was ready,” Farina said. “I was just so excited to have the chance.”

The versatile Josie Suchecki, playing first base, led the Mustangs’ offense by going 2-for-3 with a first-inning double. Hannah Whidden and Lane Winkler had the other hits for Meadows (16-16).

Brunlieb struck out three.

“It was a good game,” said Meadows coach Tony Wolanski. “You can’t make defensive mistakes. We made two mistakes against their slappers and they took advantage. I thought Sara pitched real well. She has all season.”