Darien High School senior outfielder Caitlin Donahue is as loyal a player as you’ll find .
From the time she picked up a bat as a 5-year-old Tee-Ball player, to more than a half decade playing for the same travel program, to her high school team and teammates, Donahue has given softball in her hometown everything she has had for the past 12 years.
In addition to being a four-year varsity player for the Blue Wave, celebrating her Senior Day on Friday with a win over Brien McMahon, Donahue also played five years in the CT Angels travel organization, which practices right at the Darien High School field.
Such loyalty is obvious to her Blue Wave teammates, who have anointed Donahue as the “Mother” of the team this season. While the Blue Wave have helped give Donahue, an outfielder, a senior season to remember, once Darien plays its final game this spring, Donahue’s career will come to an end when the final out is recorded.
She’s headed to the University of Michigan to further her education, though club softball might be in her future.
Before Friday’s game against McMahon, Donahue went “Extra Innings” with the CT Softball Blog.
FIRST INNING: How did you become a softball player?
CAITLIN DONAHUE: Well, I started with tee-ball in Darien Little League when I was five years old. From there, I just stuck with the Little League programs and I think I started travel in fourth grade.
SECOND INNING: You live in a lacrosse-mad town. What’s it like to be a softball player in a town where lacrosse means so much to everybody?
CD: It’s a little difficult because we don’t get as much attention, and it’s hard to keep the town teams together because so many girls are drawn to lacrosse. They are both great sports, but it’s disheartening sometimes because you lose teams when you’re younger because kids are drawn to other sports.
THIRD INNING: So many travel softball players switch teams thinking the grass is always greener elsewhere with another program. You spent pretty much your entire travel career with the CT Angels. Why?
CD: I had a really great experience with the Angels when I was like 12, 13 and that formed my love of softball and made me want to play in high school. Just sticking with that was comforting in a way.
FOURTH INNING: Today is your last home game and your Senior Day. What does your Darien High career mean to you?
CD: It’s been really, really fun. I’ve always wanted to play for the high school varsity team. It’s been so cool to be a captain and I’m really proud of our team this year and the last few years. It’s been really fun.
FIFTH INNING: What has been your favorite softball moment so far, the one you can’t forget?
CD: My freshman year when we made it to the second round of states. We didn’t beat Ludlowe, but we came really really close and even though it was sad to lose, I just remember all the energy in the moment and everybody being so excited and that was fun as a freshman to see.
SIXTH INNING: If you had one do-over in the sport, what would it be?
CD: One do-over? I don’t know. That’s a hard one. I have to think about it for a second. (Pauses) I think I’d just tell myself to enjoy my freshman and sophomore years a little more, and appreciate things a little more.
SEVENTH INNING: Let’s get away from the softball questions now. What scares you?
CD: Just in life? I don’t know. Right now, growing up and going to college scares me a little bit. But I’m also excited. Just change and trying to evolve and everything.
EIGHTH INNING: What is something nobody knows about you?
CD: These are tough questions. I don’t know. I did karate for a while when I was really little. None of my teammates probably know that.
NINTH INNING: What’s the last book you read that wasn’t for school and what did you think of it?
CD: “Tom Lake” by Anne Patchett. It’s a story about a family living on a cherry farm during the pandemic. This mother, her daughters were asking about her life as an actress, and it goes back and forth. I loved it. It was really good.
TENTH INNING: Hollywood has called and is making a movie of your life. What’s the title and who stars as you?
CD: Oh my God. Stop. These are really hard. I’ve never thought about that before. Who would star as me? I’d say Sophie Turner. It’s kind of a joke in our family that she looks like me. It’s become a joke. She’s also very cool. I don’t know what the title would be. “The Outfielder?”
ELEVENTH INNING: What is your go-to, pre-game type music?
CD: I listen to a Tribe Called Quest a lot before games. Some hiphop.
TWELFTH INNING: What one word best describes Caitlin Donahue?
CD: Caring. I know that’s kind of basic, but I think I’m pretty caring.
Leave a Reply