Lindsay Farnworth could be described as the consummate utility player because she spent time at nearly every position during her four years as a starter with the Carson High School softball program.
It never mattered what the position was, either, she was simply happy to be out on the field.
"I just like to play. I love to be out on the field. I love to be talking up the game. And if I'm on the bench, I like to be talking there, too," Farnworth said.
Farnworth played well enough to earn all-league recognition at first base, pitcher and designated hitter during her four seasons with the Senators.
Offensively, she finished with a share of Carson's career home run record with nine. Farnworth hit five during her junior season and added four more this season to go with a .298 batting average.
"Setting the home run record, that was definitely a highlight," Farnworth said. "Other than that, I don't really have any single highlight, just four great years here. I'm sad to see it end. Senior day was an emotional day and missing zone by one game; this was the first time we haven't made it to zone so it was tough for me to just sit and watch."
Farnworth didn't get to play, but she was at the games to watch when Carson High hosted both the Northern 4A and NIAA State 4A tournaments. Perhaps it gave her a chance to consider the future because she hopes to continue playing softball next year at Southwest Oregon College in Coos Bay.
"It's a smaller junior college that I read about on the Internet," she said. "I sent in a recruit form, heard back from them and took a trip to Coos Bay over spring break. I met the team, stayed in their dorms, got a feel for the program, got a feel for the coach and I loved it there. It's an opportunity to move on to a different place and see how much I can challenge myself."
Farnworth was a true utility player for the Senators in addition to carrying a 3.5 grade point average the last four years.
"I played a little outfield, some third base, I got to DH, play first base, do some pitching, and I actually got the bench end of it, so I saw it all," Farnworth said, flashing a smile. "Wherever the coach needed me, I was ready to play."
Farnworth cracked the starting lineup from the beginning of her freshman season when she was part of the Senators' starting pitching rotation. She was honored as a second-team All-Northern 4A designated hitter.
Her sophomore season in 2002 was more of a challenge, to the point where she spent some time watching from the bench. She looks back on that as a learning experience.
"I think it made me a better person in the long run," Farnworth said. "At the time, you're wondering, what's going on here. What did I do wrong this time? But in the long run, when you look at it, there's always a reason for it. And in the long run, it did make me a better person and a better team player.
"I learned from my freshman year that you've got to play as a team. To go anywhere, you've got to play as a team. You've got to get along, to make the most out of what you've got and go for it."
As a junior, Farnworth returned to the lineup as a regular pitcher and first baseman. She hit .342 and led the team in home runs (5) and RBIs (23), and received second-team all-league recognition as an infielder.
This season, Farnworth earned second-team all-league recognition as a pitcher, compiling a 5-5 record while sharing time with junior Mandy Carvin. She took on most of the work load when Carvin developed tendinitis in her shoulder late in the season.
"In the end we came up a little short. We had some close, tough games," Farnworth said of her senior season. "I loved playing here. I'm going to miss it here so much."
If all goes well there will be more softball to look forward to in Coos Bay, and beyond that, Farnworth has her sights set on nursing for a career. She has been involved in a student learner program at Carson-Tahoe Hospital this year.
"If I do not continue softball, I'll just come back to UNR and use my millennium scholarship," she said.
Oh, out of all those positions on the field, Farnworth did admit to having one favorite.
"It depends on who we're playing, but really, when it comes to an adrenaline rush, there's nothing like pitching," she said. "I love being out there and being in control of the game and to set the pace. At first base, you really don't do that. The pitcher sets the pace. It's a three up and three down, and let's go in and hit. As a first baseman or on the bench, you really can't set the pace."
Dave Price can be reached at 881-1220 or at dprice@nevadaappeal.com
