 file photo by dan fletcher/the daily northwestern. NU sophomore Lauren Delaney (center) had big shoes to fill when reigning ace Eileen Canney graduated. But in her first year as the Cats' top pitcher, Delaney won Big Ten Pitcher of the Year honors and has led the team to the postseason.
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After a lackluster postseason performance last year, sophomore hurler Lauren Delaney went back to the drawing board.
And hitters across the country have suffered for it.
This season, Delaney has emerged from the shadow of Northwestern pitching legend Eileen Canney and became the Big Ten's most dominant pitcher.
"Lauren Delaney is in the headline after every game," junior catcher Erin Dyer said. "She throws the ball so hard and she's got four or five pitches in her toolbox. So she's a tough pitcher to hit against."
Though Delaney had a successful freshman season, she faltered in her first and only postseason appearance in 2007. She faced three Washington hitters in the College World Series and appeared overwhelmed, issuing walks to each of the batters.
The season ended two games later, and so did Canney illustrious career.
With Canney gone, Delaney became the de facto ace of the staff. She was determined to improve, completely retooling her windup during the offseason.
"I give Tori Nyberg, our pitching coach, a whole lot of credit," coach Kate Drohan said. "She completely broke down Lauren's mechanics and changed her delivery. So that's really helped Lauren both with her spins and her location which have worked together very, very well this year."
Changing the delivery of a blue-chip prospect like Delaney, who was highly recruited out of high school, is rare. But the sophomore said having the right attitude helped her in adjusting the mechanics of her throwing motion.
"It was hard when I was making the changes," Delaney said. "But I think I went into it with a pretty open mind knowing that whatever they're going to have me do is going to help me, even if it doesn't show in the first week or the first month."
Now, the 6-foot Delaney steps back, almost takes a bow in front of the hitter, lifts her torso and explodes towards the plate as she releases the ball.
2008 Woodie Awards
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