Barna adds depth to Sandburg staff

Updated: May 9, 2011 10:08PM

The pitching speaks for itself: A 1.79 ERA and an average of six strikeouts per game.

The attitude? Not just good ...

“Very good,” Sandburg coach Jim Fabianski said of junior pitcher Amanda Barna. “She’s been very good with anything I’ve given her, and any time that she’s had she goes out with a smile on her face.”

Barna is one of four pitchers on an Eagles staff headed by senior Lora Olson. Olson has, by far, gotten the majority of the work, posting a 10-4 record with a 1.18 ERA. Barna — who has committed to Bradley University — has all but one of the other decisions. She entered the week with a 3-1 mark.

Her latest wins came back to back. On Friday she went 52/3 innings in a 3-2 decision over Glenbard South. Saturday, she struck out seven and was one out away from a no-hitter in a 5-0 victory over Bolingbrook in the second game of a doubleheader.

Wednesday, Barna also threw the final three innings in relief of Olson in an 11-1 win over Homewood-Flossmoor, striking out four.

“She’s a good one,” Fabianski said. “She’s also had some key hits in some key situations. She plays left field, but we’ve been looking for some opportunities to get her some time on the mound.

Barna has been an effective ace-in-waiting.

“She understands that this is Lora’s year,” Fabianski said. “She also understands that when she gets opportunities to hit and play the field, that she’s got to make the most of them.”

Infield is covered

From first to third, Beecher’s infielders not only wear the same uniforms, they’re uniform in protecting themselves.

During Thursday’s 4-2 victory over Peotone, Alex Daviera, Kara Couwenhoven, Skyler Woods and Savannah Soppet, along with pitcher Sarah Crews and catcher Sam Nissen, all wore masks.

The trend started last year when Ladycats coach Kevin Hayhurst strongly encouraged his first and third basemen to wear protection. The year before, an Oak Lawn pitcher suffered broken bones in her face when hit by a line drive by a Beecher hitter.

“I wanted my first and third basemen to wear a mask, and then we found that kids were comfortable wearing them,” Hayhurst said. “All my kids in junior high are wearing them, so when they come up you’ll probably see everybody wearing them.”

Hayhurst is a strong proponent of wearing facial protection on the field.

“At this time I am, yes,” he said. “I will be until they do something about the pieces (of equipment) that are being used out there.”

Hayhurst isn’t a proponent of moving the mound back four feet, because he feels it gives the batter an even better chance to line up a powerful cut.

“The ball is traveling much faster and there are more balls being put in play by the sweet spots of the bats,” he said. “It’s a completely different game.”

Brackets are in

Mother McAuley is the No. 1 seed for the GCAC Red Tournament, which is scheduled to start today. The Mighty Macs host No. 8 seed Mount Assisi, while No. 3 Queen of Peace hosts No. 6 St. Ignatius in today’s quarterfinals.

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