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By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR Lauren McLaughlin is primarily known in softball circles for her pitching abilities, but shes always longed for the chance to contribute with the bat as well. I love hitting, says the 19-year-old Holy Trinity grad. If I could choose, I would definitely choose hitting over pitch- ing. Problem is, McLaughlin rarely gets the chance to show off her offensive prowess. She batted only seven times during her freshman season at Wayne State University last year as Warriors coaches tried to protect their ace pitcher McLaughlin won 17 games, five of them via shutout from potential injury. They might not have known what they were missing. McLaughlins skill at the plate was a major reason the Brantford Bobcats midget under-19 team was able to win the Canadian softball championship recently in Winnipeg. McLaughlin led all hitters with a .632 batting average in round-robin games as the Bobcats won nine of their 10 games overall. I honestly expected to go out there and produce runs, maybe with a few bloopers, said McLaughlin, whose 12 hits included three doubles and a home run. But I was on the ball. That was seriously one of the best batting performances Ive ever had in my life. McLaughlin attributed part of her success at the plate to being able to play defensively in the field when she wasn't pitching. The Bobcats first baseman had to miss the first several days of the competition due to work commitments, so McLaughlin filled in. It was a continuous flow of energy, said McLaughlin, who otherwise would have been Brantfords designated hit- ter. Im best at coming off the field and going up to bat. McLaughlins hitting overshadowed another dominant pitching effort by the Oakville Angels product. She posted an ERA of 0.64 to lead all hurlers at the tournament. About the only thing McLaughlin didnt do at nationals was deliver the gold-clinching hit, though she came close. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning of the championship game, McLaughlin hit a hard ground ball that g gthe opposin pitcher knocked down and ot the force out at home. Brantfords next hitter, however, bunted in the win- ning run on a squeeze play as the Bobcats edged British Columbias Surrey Storm 4-3. It was just the greatest feeling in the world, McLaughlin said of winning the national title. The feeling of contributing offensively was also pretty good. And McLaughlin will likely get a better chance to do that in her next collegiate season after choosing to leave Wayne State in favour of the University of Toronto. I decided that in mid-July. The coaching strategies were so different and I wasnt used to it, and being a freshman p p yitcher there was so much ressure on m shoulders, said McLaughlin, who gave up her scholarship at the Michigan school. It was probably one of the toughest decisions Ive had to make in my life, but I dont regret it. I loved playing at Wayne State, I loved all the girls, but its better for me as a person to develop at home with my entire support system. Wayne States loss looks like the U of Ts gain. f (The Varsity Blues coach) was watching a live feed o (nationals) and he said he hadnt seen a pitcher who can hit like that, McLaughlin laughed. I dont think he expected me to be a hitter. He recruited me for pitching. My dad fig- gures he thinks he hit the old mine. Sports 24 SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2011 ff fAce pitcher shows o ensive side at so tball nationals DUAL THREAT: Lauren McLaughlin was both the top pitcher and top hitter during round-robin play at the recent Canadian women's softball championships in Winnipeg, helping the Brantford Bobcats midget team win the U19 championship. GRAHAM PAINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER