A US women’s softball team is giving all the glory to God for their stunning success on the national stage.
The Oklahoma Sooners have taken out the Women’s College World Series title for the third consecutive year after ending the season on a record 53-game winning streak.
Their trademark celebration is looking up and pointing their fingers to the sky. Utility player Alyssa Brito shared that shows how Jesus has changed the mindset of the team:
“I think a huge thing that we’ve really just latched on to is ‘eyes up’ and you see us doing this [points up] and pointing up. We’re really fixing our eyes on Christ and that’s something where you can’t find a fulfilment in an outcome whether it’s good or bad,” she said.
CBN News quotes her as also saying: “I think that’s why we’re so steady in what we do, with our love for each other and our love for the game because we know this game is giving us the opportunity to glorify God. Once we figured that out and that was our purpose, and everyone was all in with that, it’s really changed so much for us.”
“I’m just proud of how we’ve stuck together through pressure, adversity, and just have ultimately been one strong, cohesive unit that has taken that pressure and given the glory to the Lord and been able to still play free and play together and find joy in things outside of the playing field,” proclaimed pitcher Jordy Bahl.
Lead-off hitter and outfielder Jayda Coleman explained that she didn’t feel fulfilled until she gave her heart to the Lord during her time with the Sooners: “I think what makes our team so strong is that our life is in Christ, and that’s all that matters.”
Team captain Grace Lyons concurred, saying: “The only way that you can have a joy that doesn’t fade away is from the Lord. Any other type of joy is actually happiness that comes from circumstances and outcomes. The joy of the Lord is really the only thing that can keep you motivated and in a good mindset no matter the outcomes — embracing memories, moments and friendships.”
Grace Lyons is not only a leader on the field. She helped baptise Alyssa and Jayda and other team members.
“As I leave college softball, I pray that others could know how loved they are by the creator of the world and that Jesus can use you in mighty ways. You just need to be willing and obedient,” she asserted.
A video clip of the Sooners speaking publicly about how their faith was integral to their success has gone viral on social media prompting Charisma News to write: “Let it be known that the Oklahoma Sooners Women’s Softball players have more guts in glorifying the name of Jesus publicly than many Americans today.”
Coach Patty Gasso, an outspoken Christian who regularly exalts the name of the Lord in public, has also been a leader off the field. CBN News writes: “She has passionately taught her players that win or lose, rain or shine, the joy of the Lord is their strength, and no situation on earth can take that away from them.”
“The Lord kind of woke me up and was like: You’re doing this wrong.You’re not here to win games. You’re here to open the door — to win souls. You open the door and let them in. I’ll take over from there. And then everything changed,” the coach expounded.
Oklahoma’s Christian Governor Kevin Stitt said he was so proud of the team and supported coach Grasso’s view that it was not about winning and losing, but “about everyone’s ‘true north’, and what a great example they are.”
Alyssa Brito summed up the team’s true achievement: “This game is giving us the opportunity to glorify God. We have an eternity of joy with our Father and my sisters in Christ will be there with me in the end when we are with our King.”
