The Ontario Womens Softball greatest player, who was previously retired, has just declared his return to the team, and the team is…
July 25, YOKOHAMA, Japan (Reuters) – Pitcher Danielle Lawrie of Canada, one of several athletes who entered the Olympics again to compete for gold in softball, opens new tab, turned away from home plate on Sunday, leaned back, and took one of her deepest breaths ever.
She’d thrown apart her arms in a frenzied three seconds earlier against Japan, hearing her catcher yell “change up,” twisted into an unusual wind-up, and thrown a strike before the 20-second pitch clock could run out and send home a run that would have eliminated Canada from the running for gold.
With two more strikes, Lawrie forced an extra inning and regained control of the game.
“I was energized “The 34-year-old said to Reuters.
That’s the reason I left my retirement. Simply holding that in. While being in those situations is never enjoyable, there are instances when it’s the best feeling in the world and you can escape them.”
With bases loaded in a two balls, no strikes situation, Lawrie faced Japan once more in the extra inning, forcing her to throw down the middle. Eri Yamada of Japan realized this and promptly hit a Lawrie curveball into center field, preventing Canada from proceeding to the gold medal game on Tuesday.
Lawrie was heartbroken, but minutes later, her husband and older daughter, along with teammate Jenna Caira, expressed their pride in her.
“Aware of the scope I want to teach them that kind of moment,” Lawrie remarked of her kids. It’s a game of execution, but it’s also not enjoyable for me.
Though I’m glad they were able to witness it, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt or that it won’t for a while.”
She asserted that the Olympics were a success.
“Learning and working harder than ever before, becoming a better teammate, and accomplishing this while being a mother. many boxes marked as completed. Not everything was worthwhile because of the gold medal alone—that will only end up on a shelf.”