Friday, August 13, 2021

Danielle Lawrie: From National Pro Fastpitch to Team Canada

Team Canada softball earned the bronze medal in the recent Olympics. Canaa went 4-2, with pne pf the wins going to Danielle Lawrie.
Danielle was actually one of the first pro softball players to hit my radar. Her brother Brett played six seasons in Major League Baseball, including 2016 with the Chicago White Sox.
When I started covering the Chicago Bandits, Danielle was the first opposing player I interviewed, followed by teammate Cat Osterman. The Danielle interview can be found at On the Beat With Danielle Lawrie. One of my questions was if she ever tried pitching to her brother. She politely said they never did that because there would be no real winner.
Born in Canada, Danielle starred for the University of Washington. At one point, she won 21 straight games. She holds the school records in career wins (136), shutouts (65), strikeouts (1860), starts (168), appearances (194), complete games (149) and innings (1190.2). She also ranks high in most other pitching categories. She did not play for Washington in 2008, while she represented Canada in the Olympics.
Danielle made her NPF debut with the USSSA Pride against the Chicago Bandits in 2010. She won Cowles Cup Championships in 2010 and 2014. She came back in 2019 with the Canadian Wild, in preparation for the Olympics.
In the Olympics, Danielle went 1-1 with a save. She started two games, but appeared in five. In 11.1 innings, she only gave up one run.
I don't know what Danielle's post-Olympics plans are. She is married with kids and living in her native Canada. She has done some broadcasting, which is my guess for her future endeavors. Either way, I'll be following.
Danielle Lawrie and me in Rosemont, IL-Summer 2014.

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