Canadian Olympians Lawrie, Salling Win NCAA Softball Title
Two of Canada’s Olympic women’s softball players are now U.S. national champions as members of Washington Huskies. One of them is not only the most outstanding player of the NCAA World Series, but also national player of the year.
That would be pitcher Danielle Lawrie (Langley, B.C.), the go-to pitcher on the Huskies for good reason. Lawrie was an incredible 42-8 over the season and pitched throughout the team’s run to the title. Washington secured their victory with a 3-2 win over Florida on June 2. Incidentally, Florida was ranked No. 1.
Lawrie’s 2008 Olympic teammate Jennifer Salling (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) is also a member of the national champion Huskies. The hot-hitting infielder was part of Team Canada as it finished fourth last August at the Olympic Games.
That fourth-place finish is Canada’s best-ever, but now players and coaches alike must wait to see if softball is reinstated for the 2016 Olympic Games. It, along with baseball, will not be contested in London in 2012.
