The University of Oklahoma women’s softball team gave all glory to God for helping them stay in a very important game.
On Thursday, the team sat down for a press conference for the Women’s College World Series (WCWS) after beating Florida State by a score of 3-1. The team won its third National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) championship at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City that evening, according to USA Today.
“I know you talk about keeping the joy of the game, but I’m curious, it’s a long season, right? And you guys have had the target on your back the entire time,” an ESPN reporter asked several women on the team.
He added, “How do you handle the unique pressure that comes with that? How do you keep the joy for so long when anxiety seems like a thing that could very easily set in?”
“Well, the only way that you can have a joy that doesn’t fade away is from the Lord,” infielder Grace Lyons said.
Nehemiah 8:10 says, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Lyons emphasized, “Any other type of joy is actually happiness that comes from circumstances and outcomes.”
Wow. ESPN wasn’t ready for this answer from the Oklahoma softball team. Definitely 💯 💯💯 from @jaydac00 @alyss_33 @grace_lyons5 #Christ pic.twitter.com/ooHEVvch54
— Florida Grand (@florida_grand) June 8, 2023
She explained the importance of having joy whether the team wins or loses.
“Thankfully, we’ve had a lot of success this year, but if it was the other way around, joy from the Lord is the only thing that can keep you embracing those memories, moments, friendships,” Lyons continued. “That’s really the only answer to that because there’s no other way that softball can bring you that because of how much failure comes in it and just how much of a rollercoaster the game can be.”
Outfielder Jayda Coleman echoed those sentiments by agreeing with Lyons “1000%.”
Coleman explained even though they’ve worked their “butts off to be here” and have a desire to win, “it’s not the end of the world” if they do lose “because our life is in Christ, and that’s all that matters.”
Third baseman Alyssa Brito spoke about the team keeping its “eyes up” and having its “eyes on Christ.”
“You can’t find a fulfillment in an outcome, whether it’s good or bad. I think that’s why we’re so steady in what we do and our love for each other and our love for the game because we know this game is giving us the opportunity to glorify God,” Brito said.