Fremd dominates South Elgin
Fremd senior Megan Hubbard may qualify for the understatement of the year.
“I’ve been hitting pretty well lately,” said Hubbard, with a straight face.
Already the Vikings’ career home run leader, Hubbard set the school’s single-season mark Saturday with a 3-run bomb to center field in the third inning of Fremd’s 14-0 five-inning with over South Elgin in the championship game of the Class 4A Fremd softball regional.
The third-seeded Vikings (30-7), who won their fifth straight regional title, will take on No. 2 seed Elk Grove at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the Barrington sectional semifinals.
“It was an honor to break (the record) this year, my senior year, with all my friends,” said Hubbard of her ninth homer of the season. “It was fun.”
Fremd senior Rachel Doering had her game on Saturday as well, tossing a 1-hitter with 6 strikeouts and no walks. After allowing a leadoff single to South Elgin junior Victoria Watt, Doering (17-7) set down the next 15 South Elgin hitters without allowing a baserunner.
After a 90-minute rain and lightning delay, Fremd went ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first when Caitlin Patenaude drew a bases-loaded walk to score Leigh Farina, who had singled to center with one out.
That score held until the bottom of the third. Farina led off with a single to left, Michelle Mazur singled to left, and Hubbard jacked her 21st career home run to give the Vikings a 4-0 lead.
The way Doering was pitching, that would be all Fremd would need, but for good measure the Vikes added a 10-spot in the fourth, sending 15 batters to the plate.
Mazur had a 2-run home run in the inning, Tracy Welninski had a 2-run single and Janelle Schneider drove in a run with a fielder’s choice. South Elgin (14-20) also committed 3 errors in the inning.
“I think the rain helped us out,” said Doering, whose riseball had South Elgin baffled all game. “We came out really pumped up.”
Fremd coach Jim Weave admitted he was a bit surprised at his team’s dominance.
“I have a lot of respect for (South Elgin coach) Jason (Schaal) and his program,” Weaver said. “They started 1-9 and came back and played over .500 softball. They have a dangerous lineup and they have a pitcher with a lot of experience. This was not an opponent I was excited to play. “(Doering) pitched real well. If she throws like that the rest of the year we’ve got as good a shot as anybody.”
Weaver also marveled over Hubbard’s accomplishments.
“She works as hard as anybody in the state,” Weaver said. “The talent’s always been there. The difference from last year to this year is her mental approach. She trusts the kids behind her.”
It was a frustrating end to the careers of four South Elgin seniors, including pitcher Sam Bolin, who will move on to play for Culver-Stockton after setting the school record for career pitching wins with 38.
“They started hitting the ball but the last thing I wanted to do was take my senior out,” said Schaal. “I feel bad for Sam. She’s pitched great for us for three years on the varsity. I wish her and the other seniors nothing but the best. This is one game out of 109 varsity games for Sam Bolin and this game will not affect her future. I have the highest regard for her and what she’s done for our program.
“Fremd is an excellent softball team. They’re going to be tough to beat in the sectional.”