Mia Faieta’s biggest fan: Mom's illness doesn't keep her from the softball field

The loudest cheers at a Cedar Grove softball game don't come from the dugout. They won't always be from the bleachers, either. Sometimes those cheers come from a seat in a parked car, at times parked high above the field overlooking the action.

It was at that distance that Francene Faieta has often watched the Panthers take the field and cheer on her daughter, pitcher Mia Faieta. That was as close as Francene would often get to people as treatment for a life-threatening illness kept her immune system vulnerable.

Doctor's orders might have suggested that Francene stay away from the softball field completely, but it wouldn't keep her from seeing her daughter pitch.

From her unorthodox vantage points, Francene has had some first-hand views for some of the most notable pitching performances on a softball field in the last few seasons. As a sophomore last spring, Mia allowed just 40 total hits in 176 innings, leading the state with 384 strikeouts and leading Cedar Grove to a Group 1 state title.

Guidance from afar

Mia learned how to pitch in fifth grade with her mother as one of her coaches, and being at such a unique spot allowed a view that could see things maybe not as noticeable up close.

"You could see something was wrong," said the younger Faieta about her game last spring against IHA that ultimately eliminated Cedar Grove from the Tournament of Champions. "She was stepping wrong and I told another parent after the second inning. The coaches noticed it too and fixed it."

Mia allowed just two hits and two walks over the next five innings after allowing three first-inning runs and allowing eight baserunners in the first two innings.

"When she's doing it right, it's beautiful," said her mother. "We will talk about the game and I'll mention the positives she had and allow her to talk through things she didn't do well.

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Mia did not toss a no-hitter as a freshman, but has six as a sophomore, including four perfect games. Mia began last season with a perfect game at West Orange on April 1 in a 20-0, five-inning victory with 14 strikeouts.

On May 17, in the first round of the state tournament, Mia struck out all 15 batters faced in an 11-0 victory in five innings. Nine days later, Mia drew national headlines in the sectional semifinals, striking out all 21 batters faced in a 4-0 victory over North Warren.

On June 4 at Kean University, Faieta struck out 13 against Metuchen in the Group 1 state final, earning a berth into the first-ever softball Tournament of Champions.

'She wanted to make me proud'

"[Mia] had every excuse to not have a good year," said Francene. "It made her grow up very quickly. We have a lot of faith in our family and she believed I'd be OK and she wanted to make me proud. Nobody would have blamed her for being distracted. She said that it made her stress-free because it put the game in perspective of real life."

Francene recalls the game against North Warren, known to many as a "perfect perfect game" now. She was there, counting away with each unsuccessful batter. No ball was put into play against Mia that day, allowing for all 21 batters she faced to end the at-bat with a strikeout.

"I was taking note of what her strikeout numbers were and what pitches she was using for the strikeouts," said Francene. "As the game continues, you realize what's going on. We were happy after the game, but didn't realize in the moment how rare it was."

Ultimately, the performance sparked national attention and saw Mia throw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium on June 10 of last year. Francene was supplied with a view of the night from box seats provided by the Yankees.

In lieu of handshakes, cookies

Francene's outlook is great now, allowing her to get closer when watching her daughter. She is a fixture at softball games, often saying hello to fans of both teams. Handshakes are still off-limits as Francene will still avoid more human contact than a fist bump in most circles. If you're lucky, she has chocolate chip cookies in supply that'll surround you better than a hug ever could.

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Francene was a shortstop on the Cedar Grove squad that won the 1984 Essex County championship. Now, the Panthers are looking to reach the finals of the county tournament for the first time since 2014 and hoist the trophy for the first time since 2010.

She continues to fight on, watching her daughter pitch in high school and seeing her future lead to pitching collegiately at St. John's.

"She's the best kid," said Francene. "You want to see your kids end up better than you are."

Francene received a nice Mother's Day gift on Saturday afternoon in the county quarterfinals at Verona. Mia allowed just one hit and struck out 12 in a 6-3 victory over Livingston, moving Cedar Grove into Friday's county semifinals at Ivy Hill Park on the campus of Seton Hall University.