Team Canada at the Beijing Olympics

The Canadian Olympic softball team had a distinctly Nebraska flare in Beijing, as the squad was coached by NU Associate Head Coach Lori Sippel, while former Husker Sheena Lawrick and future Husker Robin Mackin both saw action at the games.

In her Olympic head coaching debut, Sippel finished with a 3-5 record while leading the Canadians to the semifinals. Under Sippel, Canada made it to the medal round for the first time ever and tied for its most wins ever in a single Olympics.

Lawrick, who played for NU from 2002 to 2005, started all eight games at first base in Beijing. Batting in the No. 5 spot in the lineup, Lawrick hit .182 (4-for-22) at the Olympics, adding three walks to post a .280 on-base percentage. Lawrick hit safely in four of the Canadians' final five games following a slow start. She also had the Canadians' lone hit in a loss to the United States, preventing a no-hitter with a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Mackin, who will be a junior pitcher this season at Nebraska after transferring from Fresno State, saw action in three games. In 6.2 innings, Mackin posted a 2.10 ERA, the second-lowest mark on the squad. She allowed eight hits and two earned runs in Beijing, walking three and striking out five. Her best appearance came against Gold Medalist Japan, when she allowed only one earned run in 4.1 innings.

Final Standings
Gold - Japan (8-2)
Silver - United States (8-1)
Bronze - Australia (6-3)
Fourth - Canada (3-5)
Fifth - Chinese Taipei (2-5)
         China (2-5)
         Venezuela (2-5)
Eighth - Netherlands (1-6)

Team Canada Results