Coming off a season at the University of Washington in which she led the Huskies to an NCAA softball championship, former White Rock Renegade pitcher Danielle Lawrie has gotten used to being a workhorse.

So pitching two of Canada's first four games to open the Canada Cup is not much of a strain on the Langley hurler.

In fact, results suggest she may just thrive on it.

Lawrie, USA Softball's player of the year and reigning MVP of the Women's College World Series, was in the pitcher's circle Saturday in the national team's tough 1-0 tournament-opening loss to Venezuela, and was back with the ball in her hand Sunday, leading Canada to a 5-2 win over the Australians.

Canada dropped a 10-0 decision to the powerhouse U.S. team in a rain-delayed contest Monday night. The Americans plated four runs in the first and three in the third off Canadian starter Marissa Litster, before the mercy rule was invoked.

The other game in which Lawrie took a seat on the bench was the first game of Sunday's doubleheader, an 8-1 mercy-rule win over the Netherlands.

Though the loss to Venezuela was not the way new coach Mark Smith wished to open the Softball City-hosted event, it was no fault of Lawrie, who, with the retirement of Dionne Meier and former ace Lauren Bay, is now the de facto leader on the Canadian staff.

The rubber-armed hurler threw eight innings in the opener, allowed just three hits and not a single earned run, while striking out seven.

Both teams' offences were stymied through seven innings, but with the international tie-breaker rule in effect – in which batting teams begin with a runner on second base and one out – Venezuela scored the game's only run in the eighth. The runner on second advanced to third on a sacrifice, and a base hit plated the winning run.

Canada rebounded Sunday, however, with a decisive win over an over-matched Dutch squad.

Canada's first batter, South Surrey native Melanie Matthews, blasted a lead-off home run, and the team added four more runs in the third, two in the fourth, and another in the fifth before the game was called.

Catcher Erin Cumpstone and centre-fielder Caitlin Lever each had a pair of hits in the win, while Sheena Lawrick had two RBI when pinch-hitting for starting first baseman Kelsey Haberl.

Canadian rookie pitchers Jenna Caira and Leah McIntosh shared time in the pitcher's circle for the host country, with Caira earning credit for the win.

Against the Aussies on Sunday night, Lawrie was again at her best, striking out eight in seven innings, while allowing just two runs. Delta's Jennifer Yee led the Canadians with a home run and three RBI.

- by Nick Greenizan

sports@peacearchnews.com