Dani Brown and Megan Donnelly have different ways of getting the job done. And both are highly effective.
The sophomore duo has become a powerful one-two pitching punch for the Camden Catholic High School softball team. There’s confidence in whichever pitcher has the ball that game.
“It’s really a luxury in high school softball,” said Alyssa Sims, who is in her second year as head coach and seventh on the staff. “You usually don’t get two pitchers. Sometimes you don’t even get one. So, the fact that I have a one-two punch is really nice to use and they are both versatile to use in the field and at bat. They both complement each other very nicely.”
That last line can be taken in the figurative or literal sense. When the other isn’t pitching, she’s still in the game. And in Brown’s case, she’s the starting catcher when Donnelly is in the circle, so they meet face to face before innings.
“It’s nice that they can kind of bounce off each other,” Sims said. “I was a catcher, and I didn’t always know what to say to the pitcher. I had to learn that, and it came later in life. But for Dani, she knows, because that’s what she does.”
The pitchers broke in as freshmen together last season. Getting thrown into the fire together, the pair learned to rely on each other and exchange ideas.
“Meg kind of helps me keep my mind set; I think we both help each other with that,” Brown said. “We realize that when we throw pitches, they’re not always going to go where we planned, but we help keep each other up and help give each other energy. And we play off each other’s energy.”
And sometimes that means cheering on the hotter hand.
“It’s honestly really nice because every pitcher is either on or off on any day,” Donnelly said. “So, if you’re off, you know you have someone to back you up and have your back the whole time.”
There have been more on days that off days as the Fighting Irish started the season 3-0 before hitting a slight speed wobble with back-to-back losses to powerhouse Paul VI and Eastern. Camden Catholic has just two seniors on the roster, so the younger students are getting their time to shine.
“We have some new players and it’s a new year, so we’re hoping we can come back,” said Brown, who also plays field hockey. “It’s all a learning experience. You can see from our first scrimmages that we’re getting better, and if we keep practicing, I think we will get it. We’re putting in the work.”
Donnelly, who plays centerfield, also thinks the Irish are on the way up.
“Practices look good and the scores of our games aren’t really showing how we’re playing overall,” said Donnelly, who is on the school’s dance team and is part of the French Club and Student Government. “I think we’re going to be much better as the season goes on.”
Both girls also supply offense, as Donnelly leads off and Brown hits in the meat of the lineup. They’re also good friends.
“They get along great,” Sims said. “It’s a positive experience in the bullpen.”
Good friendships and good teammates are built on trust – and there seems to be no short supply of that.
“I trust [Donnelly’s] pitching abilities 100 percent, and I think that’s what comes with me catching,” Brown said. “I haven’t caught very long, but when she’s pitching, I know she’s going to hit her spot. And even when she doesn’t, I hope she knows that I’m always there for her.”
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