Severna Park Softball Family Honors Lauryn McAlister Bary

“I was thinking of her with every pitch,” said Severna Park softball pitcher Quinlyn Bary.

“Her” is Quinlyn’s mother, Lauryn McAlister Bary, who died suddenly at her home last October. She was only 47 years old.

The Severna Park softball community paid tribute to Lauryn with a pregame ceremony on April 20. Players and coaches from the Falcons and Arundel Wildcats wore jerseys that read “One Family” with Lauryn’s initials (LB) in the center along with the phrase “For The Love The Game” across the bottom.

Lauryn was a 1996 graduate of Severna Park High School, where she played soccer, basketball and softball. She then went to play soccer and softball at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York.

After college, Lauryn became involved with coaching soccer and softball in the Green Hornets organization and then advanced to coaching club softball teams in the API, TNT and Starz Gold programs.

Because of Lauryn’s tenure as a club coach in central Anne Arundel County, players from both Arundel and Severna Park had her as a coach in their under-14 program. All of those players were recognized before the game.

In the emotional ceremony prior to the game, Quinlyn Bary remembered her mother by stating, “Something that has been said to me is that we live on in the hearts of the people who love us the most. By playing this game, it allows my mom to live with us another day. She coached many of the young women standing here today. If my mom was here today, she would remind us to play hard, have fun, and in tough moments, just breathe.”

Lauryn’s youngest daughter, McKenna, sang the national anthem for the packed crowd at the Falcons’ home field.

In the game versus the Wildcats, the Falcons broke out to an early 4-0 lead on a key hit by catcher Morgan Rausch. The game then became a pitcher’s duel between Quinlyn and Arundel’s Brianna Porter.

However, Quinlyn’s four-pitch arsenal became dominant as the game progressed and she finished with 12 strikeouts and complete game shutout.

After the game the Bary sisters reflected on the ceremony and the anticipation of this sentimental contest.

“I was looking forward to this game all day and I couldn’t wait for 3:18pm (the end of the school day) to come around so I could change and come down to the field,” Quinlyn said. “Our crowd was very supportive and our team was very vocal the entire game.”

Severna Park head softball coach Bailey Benedick coached with Lauryn and knew how much energy and passion she put into every game and practice.

“Lauryn would have loved every second of this game,” Benedick said. “Between the camaraderie, great pitching, defense and fun the players were having, it was what Lauryn taught her players about the game.”

Benedick added that Lauryn would be so proud of both her daughters.

“Hands down, Quinlyn is the best pitcher I’ve ever had, and McKenna, who is only a freshman, is extremely mature and nothing fazes her,” Benedick said. “She has a bright future as a pitcher and first baseman and she also plays field hockey.”

Benedick took over the program three years ago with the goal of re-establishing the Falcons as a dominant force in the county and region.

“I have such a strong junior class and we’ve been together since they were freshmen,” Benedick said. “Those players, of which many excel in multiple sports, include Bary, Rausch, Andrea Rom, Lucy Benner and Megan Young.”

Rausch, who has been Quinlyn’s catcher for eight years, attributed Quinlyn’s phenomenal pitching record to keeping the opposition off balance with a four-pitch mix including a 70-mile-per-hour fastball, riser, changeup and off-speed repertoire.

“Her speed is amazing but (Quinlyn) also hits her spots,” Rausch said.

Quinlyn has committed to Arkansas to continue her softball career and during the April game honoring her mother, Quinlyn recorded her 400th strikeout as a Falcon.

“Quinlyn has so much potential and she’s capable of doing whatever she puts her mind to, whether it’s school, softball or anything else,” said Meredith McAlister Kraus, Quinlyn and McKenna’s aunt, and former Falcons head softball coach for nearly 20 years.

Kraus also addressed the crowd before the game and mentioned that she and her sister had the same ideals for development, inclusion and opportunities for their players.

“Lauryn was incredible at making sure her players knew she was 100% there for them,” Kraus said.

Quinlyn concluded her pregame comments by saying, “I want to thank everyone on both teams, coaches and supporters, for allowing us to have my mom live another day with us.”