Ottawa U Gee-Gee Softball News

from Scott Searle

The Gee-Gees Softball concluded a very successful season with a clean sweep of the University of Ottawa Athletic Banquet last night. First Baseman Lindsey McLaughlin, in her last night as a Gee-Gee was named Female Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row. This marks the first time a female athlete has won this award in back-to-back years. Lindsey was also named Team MVP.

The successful night continued when Erin Durant was given the Award of Merit to recognize her excellence in community, sport, academics, and athletics. This is the second time a softball athlete has won this award as Erin follows in Nicole Dunlop's footsteps who won the award in 2003. (Brief Bio's of each athlete are inculded below)

The entire Gee-Gee softball program is flushed with pride this morning at the recognition of two of our athletes. These are very special people who have represented us with pride and dignity during their careers in the garnet and grey.

Lindsey and Erin are excellent representations of a program who has committed itself to developing leaders in the community. Please visit our website www.eteamz.com/ottawaufastpitch and click on the "Leadership" tab to view other examples of leadership in the community.

The Gee-Gees will scatter for the summer to compete for a wide variety for clubs and teams in the summer. As always, we will keep fans of the team informed on their status throughout the summer on our website, www.eteamz.com/ottawaufastpitch

Scott Searle
Head Coach

Nominations for Awards

MVP-Lindsey McLaughlin

Female Athlete of the Year-

Lindsey McLaughlin led the Gee-Gees Softball team to a third place finish in 2006. Her explosive hitting, flawless defense, and stalwart leadership were essential ingredients in our successful season. She started the season strong and kept on hitting, driving in 3 game-winning RBI's in the teams first four games. Throughout the season it seemed every time the team needed a big hit, Lindsey was at-bat and every time, she delivered.

She was first or second, in all major offensive categories. She led the team in batting average, hits, doubles, home runs, and runs scored. She finished second in triples, and RBI's.

Lindsey seemed to save her best performance for her graduating year as she turned heads every time she was at bat and put on a show at home against Carleton University with two over-the-fence home runs in the Gee-Gees “Support Our Troops” Dedication night.

Despite her offensive prowess, it was her leadership and dedication that was most beneficial to the young Gee-Gees. She was a steady hand in a storm and led the Garnet and Grey through rough waters on several occasions. Lindsey is an excellent role model for young athletes and has taken time out of her schedule to mentor troubled youth at local high schools in Ottawa and has always served as an example for rookies on the Gee-Gees squad. She coaches young athletes in the summer, and is very generous with her free-time and can frequently be seen working with minor athletes in the summer.

She will be sorely missed.

Award of Merit-

Erin Durant-

Erin has been one of the most active athletes in her career as a Gee-Gee. In addition to being the spark plug for the explosive Gee-Gee offense, she has been extremely generous with her free time and has established herself as a leader in her community.

In 2006 she helped lead the Gee-Gees to a bronze medal finish and led the team in On-Base-Percentage and set the table at the top of the lineup. She was second on the team in runs scored, and singles and third in batting average and stolen bases. She used her skills to get on base over 60% of the time and her speed to turn 70% of those opportunities into runs.

She has been a pillar of the softball community in her 3 years in Ottawa, frequently volunteering her spare time to work with minor athletes or teams. She travelled to Montreal in February to work with a team of U14 athletes, and is a frequent contributor to the Gee-Gees free clinics offered to minor athletes in the Ottawa area. Erin has agreed to coach the Kanata Pirates Novice team this summer, in addition to working two full-time jobs, and playing on her own team. Softball Canada recognized her talent and hired her to supervise the administration of their “Learn To Play” program which is aimed at increasing participation among 4-5 year olds across Canada. Erin was a key driving force behind the Gee-Gees initiative in October to dedicate a league game to Canadian Troops serving overseas and her grandfather, a WW2 veteran, agreed to throw out the first pitch. The Provincial Women's Softball Association in Ontario recognized Erin's talents and contributions to the sport and community at large when they awarded her their very prestigious scholarship at a ceremony last November.

Erin has been active in her school community as well, serving as a tutor in the Peer Help Center and consistently being recognized at the Student-Athlete Awards Breakfast, to celebrate 3 years of 8.0 GPA. Erin is also running in the “Relay for Life” Marathon later this month to raise money to fight cancer.