Throughout the course of the 2012 season, MVNU senior outfielder MacKenzie Shaw will write a weekly blog about what is happening with the softball team.

"Together" (posted on March 12, 2012)

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

Joshua 1:9 has been our verse of encouragement for the last week. Before the game, Ashley and Brit presented each of us with a slip of paper with this verse on it. We all wore a bow in our hair with Joshua 1:9 written on it as well. We knew going into the games this week that no matter what came our way, we were prepared. We were all ready to be strong and courageous together!

The Lady Cougar softball team kicked off the season with a home game against Ursuline College on Tuesday. It was a beautiful day to play softball, despite the gusts of wind! We took the first game over Ursuline 9-1. Morgan Wade made her college debut with a home run in the first inning. Something you may not know about that homerun, Coach gave Morgan the bunt sign prior to her stepping into the box! Needless to say Coach wasn't upset with Morgan, but some of the girls had to review the signs with her! :) Unfortunately, the second game against Ursuline was called for darkness in the fourth inning.

Saturday came around and it was another day for Lady Cougar softball! We knew that we had some tough competition against Salem International University as they traveled from West Virginia. We decided before the game that we were going to stick with our verse of the day and be strong and courageous together! I think our bats were strong and courageous as well because we came out crushing the ball. From the top of the line up to the bottom, everyone was making solid contact with the ball! We got our first win of the day defeating Salem International 6-3 with Jill Wildermuth bringing the heat on the mound!

Our next game turned out to be an emotional rollercoaster. Salem International took the lead early in the first inning getting on top 3-0. We worked together and took our time to slowly catch back up. It wasn't until the seventh inning that we tied the ball game 4-4. Extra innings began and we were ready to go to battle. Salem hit a three-run home run to take the lead 7-4 in the ninth inning. Once again, we were reminded of the verse we had in our back pocket and written on our bows. And here we go again! We tied the score back up 7-7 and were determined to win this game! Ashley Riffell pitched the game of her life and held Salem International to a scoreless inning in the tenth! We loaded the bases and with two outs and Morgan Wade drove in the winning run! Ashley got her first win for the season and the Lady Cougars were pumped!

Let me tell you we were all smiling from ear to ear for the rest of the night! We had a team conference after the game with so much positive encouragement. Every single person on our team played a huge role in our victories on Saturday. I can honestly say as a senior that it was the most exciting victory I have had in my four years as a Lady Cougar.

Not only did we pick up two wins for the day, we became closer as a team. We never gave up and worked together through the good times and the not so good times. We gave it all we had as a team and were successful. God has brought a very special group of girls together this year. We might be a little loud, querky, and smelly at times, but each and every girl on our team brings something special! We have one more doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon at home beginning at 3 p.m. before we head off to Florida! We are ready to get this season under way. God has some pretty big plans for us on the field and off the field in the next few months!

Now, let me introduce you to some of my teammates! I want you to realize that this short introduction that I give you about the girls is only a glimpse of their awesome personalities and I would encourage you to talk to each one if you have the opportunity!

Dee Dill is a freshman outfielder from Bellefontaine, Ohio with a sports management major. You will see Dee in the outfield with her infamous Under Armor headband on. Dee brings a lot of laughter and spunk to our team! Dee's biggest fear is spiders! She said the song that best describes her is Lose Control by Missy Elliot. Dee said she loves music and sometimes it makes her lose control!

Deanna Dill	Grace Basinger

Grace Basinger is also a freshman from Columbus Grove, Ohio majoring in Middle Childhood Education. Grace is one of the first basemen on our team this year. Grace is a little more soft spoken than the rest of us on the team, but you can always sense her competitive edge when she is around! When I asked Grace what her biggest fear was, she told me failure. She also told me that the song that best describes her would be We Run the Night by Havana Brown because it's a fun, up-beat song!

Haley Lewis is a freshman outfielder from Springfield, Ohio with an undecided major. Haley always has a smile on her face and is giving her all on and off the field. Haley is so sweet and is always willing to help out whenever she can, even at 7 a.m. to catch the pitchers! Haley's biggest fear is sharks and the song that best describes her is Everything by Lifehouse because it has had such an impact on her life!

Haley Lewis	Brooke Hensley

Brooke Hensley is another one of our freshmen, from Bethel, Ohio majoring in nursing. Brooke is our utility player, so you may see her just about anywhere on the field! If you don't see Brooke, well you will definitely hear her! Brooke is a girl that never stops talking! She has been a great piece to our puzzle as she brings life and laughter to our team. Brooke's biggest fear is heights and she says the song that best describes her in Never Say Never by Justin Bieber. She picked this song because no matter what she will never give up!

Thanks for reading! We hope to see you out at our games this week! Go Cougars!

MacKenzie

"Diamond Notes with MacKenzie Shaw" Complete Archives