Coquitlam's Cara Lukawesky will not be on Canada's women's softball team in this summer's Olympics, nor the 2016 edition, so it now seems.
And it's not because she lacks the talent.
Softball has been voted out of at least those two Olympics after it got caught in the wash when the IOC became determined to drop baseball because of its steroid scandal and the fact major league baseball refused to make its players eligible.
The International Softball Federation was affiliated with the Olympic Council in 1956 and the sport was formally recognized as an Olympic one in 1967.
Meanwhile, Lukawesky boasts a sparkling 17-6 record this season as a prolific pitcher with the Simon Fraser Clan and she was named Great Northwest Athletic Conference (NCAA Div. 2) pitcher of the week for the third time this season Monday.
"It's disappointing, for sure," Lukawesky, 22, told The Tri-City News regarding softball's expulsion from this summer's London Olympics and, likely, the 2016 edition of the Games. "There are a lot of great athletes being affected by it. It's tough. [Softball's] been around so long and to see it gone is pretty sad."
What's not sad at all, however, is Lukawesky's rise to prominence. After starring in the minor ranks with the PoCo Ravens and, later, in Ridge Meadows, she joined the Clan as a walk-on in her second year at SFU. Initially, she was just trying to make the team. Now she's its ace.
"I thought I'd just go out and give it a try," shrugged Lukawesky, who went 2-1 with a save to earn her most recent GNAC POW honours. "I'm excited I can do well for the team. I don't know if there's any secret to what I do...it's not like I got out and try to strike out every batter.
"I used to make mistakes I'm not making anymore or I'm learning to correct them. And it makes it easier when my teammates are hitting and people are backing you up [defensively]."
In a game Saturday at SFU's Beedie Field, Lukawesky completely baffled Idaho's Northwest Nazarene Crusaders, allowing just one hit and striking out eight in an 8-0 Clan romp that ended after five innings due to the mercy rule.
On Sunday, she turned in another stellar performance against the Western Washington Vikings in Bellingham, pitching another shutout and allowing just two hits while fanning eight batters.
"It's the whole team," Lukawesky, a senior majoring in psychology, said modestly. "Everybody's working together. When I first came in, the seniors on the team really helped me fit in. Now, I'm a senior and I remember that whenever a younger player comes in and needs a boost."
Consider Lukawesky a fine pitcher AND catcher, being that it appears she's caught on just fine to what it takes to be a true team player.
EXTRA INNINGS: Lukawesky and the 29-12 Clan wrap up the regular season this weekend with a pair of doubleheaders in Montana.
