ROCHESTER, Mich. — Senior pitcher Lauryn Debono has been a force in the circle since joining the Grizzlies in 2017. The native of Belle River, Canada has pitched in 51 games, including 30 starts in her four-year career. During the 2019 season, Debono struck out 113 batters, which was the 10th-highest mark in program history. She also made history by pitching a school record 13.0 innings in Oakland's 5-3 win over Youngstown State in the first round of the 2019 Horizon League Tournament.
You probably know this by now, but you hold the school record for innings pitched in a game. What do you remember from that game?
I will never forget that game against Youngstown State in the Horizon League Tournament. They were calling it a pitchers' duel because their pitcher was doing great and I was too. I would turn back to Jamie (Squires), who was playing shortstop and she would say, "one more pitch!" because we were both in pain after being in the game for so long. To this day, that is probably my favorite softball memory.
Being born and raised in Canada, why did you choose to come to the United States to play softball at Oakland?
My entire life has revolved around softball. I always made it my goal to get a scholarship to play softball in the United States. Playing for the Windsor Wildcats, we would come to the U.S. and especially Michigan. I made a recruiting video and sent it to different colleges. Oakland happened to reach out and invite me to a camp after seeing the video. After I went to the camp, I just loved the campus and knew this is the school I wanted to attend.
Are you the only member of your family in the U.S.?
My entire family is actually in Canada. It is tough with the border being closed, but I have great teammates whom I consider family, which I am grateful for. I have seen my family a few times, but I had to quarantine there for two weeks because of all the craziness with the COVID-19. I have a student visa, but my parents have not been able to come here at all.
Besides family, what are a few things you miss the most about Canada?
I would have to say Canadian Tim Hortons. I just know there is a difference. I am telling you, the quality is different! Also, another one is the use of the word washroom. Every time I am here, I say, "Oh, may I use the washroom?" and people just look at me like, "do you mean the restroom?". I always get made fun of for that.
If you won two tickets to go anywhere in the world, where would you go and which teammate would you bring?
I would take Jamie (Squires) on a cruise, especially since she chose me to be stuck on an island with. We have the same sense of humor/personality and we are usually on the same boat with a lot of things. I would probably go to Malta because I am Maltese and go around to Italy. Of course, it is tough to choose just one person since I have many great teammates I would want to go on a cruise with.
Did you have any role models growing up?
I did not really have any athlete role models growing up. However, I look at my dad as a role model in life. He has overcome a lot in his life and I just love his sense of resiliency. Because of him, I strive to overcome any obstacle in my way.
What helps you stay focused in the circle?
Sometimes I am too focused, and being a pitcher is a very mental position. I tense up if I am overthinking or too focused. What I have learned is that I have to try to relax by turning to my teammates and just having fun out there. That is one thing I learned from that 13-inning game because I kept loose by having fun with my teammates.
Has any mental fatigue caught up with you due to being a student-athlete during a pandemic?
I think the majority of my mental fatigue comes from putting a lot of pressure on myself. I know many student-athletes that put a lot of pressure on being perfect when that is not realistic at all. This can not only be exhausting mentally but also contribute to performance anxiety. Talking about it with Dr. Seth as well as other teammates has helped me remember that I need to have fun and enjoy playing the game that I love.
