Oklahoma Sooners’ softball champs declare ‘Our life is in Christ
Fresh off yet another NCAA Women’s College World Series (WCWS) championship, the Oklahoma Sooners’ softball team continues to point to Jesus as the source of their success.
In a June 6 media briefing following their 3-1 victory over Florida State to seal their third straight WCWS title, Sooners’ infielder Grace Lyons was quick to explain where true joy comes from.
“The only way you can have a joy that doesn’t fade away is from the Lord. And any other type of joy is happiness that comes from circumstances and outcomes,” Lyons told reporters.
Lyons told another reporter that joy “is the only thing that can keep you motivated, just in a good mindset no matter the outcomes. … There’s no other way that softball can bring you that because of how much failure comes in it and how much of a roller coaster the game can be.”
Jayda Coleman, the team’s leadoff hitter and star center fielder, said she couldn’t agree more with Lyons.
“I went through that my first year. I was so happy that we won the College World Series, but I didn’t feel joy,” she said. “I didn’t know what to do the next day. I didn’t know what to do for the following week. I didn’t feel fulfilled and had to find Christ in that.
“I think that makes our team so strong because we’re not afraid to lose because it’s not the end of the world if we do lose. Yes, we worked our butts off to be here, and we want to win, but it’s not the end of the world because our life is in Christ, and that’s all that matters,” Coleman added.
The Sooners’ victory over Florida State gave Oklahoma the historic distinction of being the only team to win three consecutive NCAA Division I softball titles.
For infielder Alyssa Brito, however, the God of outcomes is far greater than a single game or a season’s work.
“We’re fixing our eyes on Christ,” said Brito. “You can’t find fulfillment in an outcome, whether good or bad. I think that’s why we’re so steady in what we do and our love for each other and the game because we know this game allows us to glorify God.”
Far from being a performance for the cameras, the OU stars continued praising God for their success on social media.
Following the title game, Lyons shared an Instagram video on June 8 describing how her walk with God had shaped her approach to winning and losing.
In a letter titled “Dear Softball,” Lyons said, “For a while, you were something my hands had such a tight grip on. My identity was tied so tightly to a game that it led to failure almost always. And I rode the roller coaster of emotions.
“Then I met Jesus. I learned I have a loving Father who died for my sins and has a plan for my life, a plan to give me hope and a future.”
