By Mallory Mattingly
The Colorado Christian University softball team is reaping the fruits of their labor as they head into the Division II NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed.
According to Sports Spectrum, the team headed into the tournament with a “53-5 overall record, highlighted by a 47-game winning streak (Feb. 3 to May 1) and a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference regular-season title. Ranked No. 7 in latest top-25 coaches poll, the Cougars earned the No. 1 seed in the South Central Region and will thus host a regional for the first time in program history.”
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However, it’s not the stellar game play on the field that has the Cougars prepared for what’s next; it’s the prayers before practice and games, the Bible studies and the fellowship that gets these girls ready for the field.
Related: Softball NCAA Championship Winner: ‘The Answer’s Always God’
“Almost every week, everyone makes it there. So we’ve made it like a very high priority,” senior catcher Leah Garcia told Sports Spectrum. “Having leadership where everyone’s accountable, but we’re just really focused on how we can help each other in their personal life and not just on the field, is a big thing.”
Garcia explained that sometimes, the team’s faith gathering last up to two and a half hours.
“That’s how we’ve gotten the closest and are able to just play freely on the field because we know each other so well,” the catcher continued. “I think our competitiveness is obviously what pushes us in the games and in practice and stuff, but I think having such a culture that emphasizes our faith is what allows us to do that.”
Cougars pitcher Hannah Espinoza also serves as the team chaplain, leading Bible studies with the personal goal to represent Christ well.
“That’s the biggest goal for me. It’s just to live by example,” she told Sports Spectrum. “I know people are watching. I’m representing the Christian faith. I’m representing God. I tie in my faith with competition by realizing that God calls us to excellence. And He calls us to steward the gifts that He’s given us, the resources He’s given us. And He wants us to glorify Him with it.”
Senior star Arianna Wright once feared being judged for her faith, but when she got to CCU, she was welcomed with open arms onto a team that honors and worships the Lord.
“When I got here, there was just something about this school that just allowed me to open up,” she told Sports Spectrum. “A big part in having me open up and me having forgiveness within the hurt of my family and just finding my way through Christ has been our team Bible study. I honestly didn’t know the Bible and I can also reach people in that way of like, ‘Hey, we can search this together. We can find this together.’
“When it speaks to having Christ in your foundation, that is honestly the strongest thing possible to have,” Wright added. “We just know that we have nothing to lose because we’re playing for God. I think we’re a family and I just want people to know that we are normal people. We aren’t perfect and we help each other and that is what makes us great.”
The Cougars came out victorious in Game 1 of postseason play. CCU beat St. Mary’s 7-4 and looks to continue their run in the NCAA tournament.
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