Durham College Lords’ pitcher Lydia Kalbfleisch, of Moorefield, won a silver medal with Team Canada in softball at the 19th Maccabiah Games.
The Maccabiah Games are held in Israel every four years and features the best Jewish and Israeli athletes in the world. Sports featured at the games include baseball, softball, basketball, futsal, volleyball, handball, ice and field hockey, water polo, rugby, cricket, netball and soccer.
Team Canada did well at the tournament, beating out Team Israel to make it to the gold medal game against Team USA. They would eventually lose 4-0 in the finals, but would still bring home the silver medal for their efforts.
“It was one of the most exciting experiences I’ve ever encountered, “said Kalbfleisch. “I felt so honoured to be representing Canada at these world class games.”
On top of winning the silver medal at the games, Kalbfleisch was also a part of the Durham Lords team that won silver medals at nationals and provincials this past season.
“I feel like I am so lucky to be a part of both of these teams and receive silver medals with both teams,” she said. “I feel like both the finals at nationals and at the Maccabiah Games were well played games and we had to play against tough teams.”
Even though the team didn’t win the gold medal, Kalbfleisch defining moment came in the final game when she was inserted to pitch cold with the bases loaded and the starting pitcher injured.
“I ended up getting out of the inning with minimal damage,” she said. “I think that I kind of surprised everybody that I did so well that inning considering I didn’t get a proper warm up.”
Kalbfleisch is returning to Durham college for another season of OCAA fastball, this time with more confidence and experience.
“I think I’ll come back to Durham playing with a little more experience and a little more relaxed,” she said. “I think I will come back with a little more confidence and focus to excel in our season this fall.”
