Cedarville University Yellow Jackets

May 4, 2016
It’s about that time again. It’s about that time when I tell you that it felt like just yesterday we were counting down the days until Florida, when we ponder together about where the season has gone, where we reflect on our success and failures of the season, and where we reminisce over the great memories. But 59 games, 28 wins, 31 losses, and less than two months later I will also tell you it’s about that time to go home and recuperate for the summer. It’s about that time to close the book on this season, but not without a proper goodbye!

This season, although full of ups and downs, ended with a bang. As you know, our regular season was a little rough but we ended the season in the conference championship! The G-MAC tournament games showcased some of our best games of the season. It was good to send the seniors out with our best foot forward. At the G-MAC banquet we celebrated some amazing standouts on our team. Two amazing freshmen Angela Stephano and Morgan Arbogast made the All-Conference Freshman Team. Angela Stephano along with Nicole Davis made All-Conference Second Team. Finally, Brianne O’Dell and Morgan Arbogast made the All-Conference First Team.

Our whole team is filled with talent and skill in the game of softball and it has been enjoyable to be surrounded by these ladies. As you have heard me say before, these girls have comprised the best team that I’ve been on. There are many relationships and bonds that we share that will transcend the game of softball. This is reassuring to recognize because there will be a day that we will all hang up our cleats for the last time. For a few of our ladies, that day has come. To those ladies I’d like to say that you will forever be loved by your teammates! Have your worth and identity firmly founded in Christ and nothing else.

Now that a proper goodbye has been said…

Until Next Time,

STING IT!


April 26, 2016 Saturday was a busy day down at the fields. It was a beautiful day, as the sun was shining brightly amidst all the festivities of the day. This was a special weekend as we celebrated our seniors at our last home games. Also, Cedarville University was able to host a Make-a-Wish® Wish Reveal for a young girl named Payton at the baseball and softball games! It was also refreshing to see some familiar and dearly missed faces of many family members of the team.

Nicole Davis (#12) and Carlyn Hanzel (#17), the two seniors we celebrated, are two of the best leaders you will find. Each of them compliments each other very well in the way they lead. They have provided a great example on the field as well as off the field. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of them better this year! When asked about how her senior season was going, Carlyn responded excitedly, "We’ve eaten at some really good places!" Watching them walk around the bases was emotional as the culmination of previous memories with these outstanding individuals rushed to our minds. It has been a pleasure to play alongside these two amazing ladies who have made up one of my favorite teams ever!

I would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to all of the family, friends, and fans that came out to support the seniors and the team this past weekend! As we play our last two, critical, regular season games this week, start the G-MAC Tournament, finish out our last week of school, study for finals, and attempt to enjoy the weather and the people we will soon leave, keep us in your prayers!

Until Next Time,

STING IT!


April 19, 2016
First off, I just want to say Elyssa Reyes is the best blogger out there. She asked me to guest blog at the beginning of the season so here it goes …

I am currently sitting in room 114 of the Days Inn with Carlyn Hanzel, Brianne O’ Dell, Danielle Wolgamot, and the girl herself, Elyssa Reyes. The television is playing and the air conditioning vent is blowing. The bed spreads are green and the floor is blue with green stripes. There are lovely paintings up of yellow flowers. I’m sitting in a chair in the corner typing at a rate of 700 words per minute, in hopes that my editor-in-chief, brookief22, approves of what I write.

Anyways, now that you know the intensity that comes with the production of this blog, I hope you’re on the edge of your seats like it’s a 3-2 count, bases loaded, two outs, tie game situation.

On Friday, we loaded up the bus at 7:30 a.m. for a trip to Salem, West Virginia. It was a little chatty at first, but soon everyone was on their laptops catching up on their studies, (or maybe Netflix series), or catching up on sleep. Norris got us to the fields safely (as usual) and we were ready to play some softball! We came out Friday with two wins and went to Texas Roadhouse after. We had Texas Roadhouse rolls with the amazing cinnamon butter, great steaks, and fun times. It was an All-American kind of night.

We were up and at it again on Saturday for two more games against Salem International. We did not get the same results, but Monday is another opportunity for success. We went to Chick-fil-A after the games. Pretty much everyone got chicken. Then, we came back to the hotel. Some of us went to the awesome gym next to the hotel that the hotel gave us free passes for. We worked up a sweat in the gym and the sauna. We are refreshed for Monday’s games. But, shortly after, we went to Dairy Queen!!!

On Sunday, we went to our local church with our waiter, Ray, from Texas Roadhouse! He shared his testimony with us and encouraged our faith in Christ. We went to a Mexican restaurant for lunch. Pretty much everyone got Mexican. Everyone did homework this afternoon. This team is productive and efficient in the classroom. I feel blessed to be constantly surrounded by such smart and kind girls! We had pizza for dinner and now I think some people are playing cards.

Well, I think that’s it. Have a great week.

TIPS FOR HAVING A GREAT WEEK
-drink Dunkin’ Donuts
-eat Zebra Cakes
-get at least eight hours of sleep
-have nice braids in your hair
-wear a nice bow


Until next time, sting it.

EC #7






April 12, 2016
This week, due to weather, we only had one day of games in which we accomplished two more conference wins. We were supposed to go to West Virginia this past weekend, but true to the nature of the Midwest, they got a few inches of snow in the middle of spring. As a result, we got some time for a little R & R. This will prove beneficial as we take a long weekend to spend five days straight in West Virginia in order to get all the conference games in. Time is money, and it was super important to be good stewards of it, this weekend especially.

As it was important to be good stewards of our time this weekend, it is equally as important to be good stewards of our time all of the time. Time is that one thing, as with money, that all of us wish we had more of. However, it is important to analyze how we use what we have been given. How do we manage our time in the mission of love? To love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, it is necessary to spend time with Him - daily. To love others it is necessary to expend time and energy for the good of others. This could come in the form of proactive ways to spend time, or even just being flexible to meet people where they are at and adjust to their needs. It is important to make the best use of our time by being careful to walk wisely in union with Christ, "making the best use of the time because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16). Time is money; invest it wisely.

Until Next Time,

STING IT!


April 5, 2016
Well, we made it through a very full week of softball! Although, it left some of us hanging by pins and needles (Logan) and others barely making it through the week with full health (half the team). This week was packed with a lot of softball and a little bit of everything. We played in weather that ranged from sunny and 70's to hurricane-like winds and 30's. We experienced some great wins and at the same time some good losses during our 10-game home stretch.

Speaking of home stretch, we are almost in the last month of school and of our regular season. As home becomes close enough to taste, it is still necessary to keep the present in our focus. There are a lot of opportunities in this last month or so to bring glory to God with everything that he has given us - our school work, our talents on the field, our attitude. Every aspect of our lives, the good and the bad, is an opportunity for us to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ. So during our home stretch here at our second home, we pray that we would be "strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that [we] may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father" because we have been qualified to share of Christ’s inheritance and because of all of the blessings the King has bestowed upon us (Colossians 1:11-12).

One of these blessings is the family that we have in our team. For those like me whose family is far away, it is a blessing to have a team as a family. Family is what makes Cedarville a second home, and there is no place like this home. I am glad to be able to call each of these ladies my sisters, and some of the best teammates I’ve ever had. It is this family that gets each other through long weeks like these and is there to go through it all together. It is this family that goes crazy in celebration when another succeeds, like when freshman Angela Stephano breaks up a no-hitter. It is this family that holds each other up throughout the season and throughout life. As we make our way towards the home stretch, I am thankful for this family that I am blessed with.

Until Next Time,

STING IT!


March 29, 2016
A blink of an eye, and just like that we are halfway done with our season. The main lesson I have been learning throughout this entire year, not just in softball, is that outcomes do not define success. Success when defined by the outcomes is like the green blinking light across the water that is forever eluded at the end of The Great Gatsby. This concept is true in the faith as well. If our faith were defined by our success and how many times we conquered sin or resisted temptation, then our focus would be on our abilities instead of on grace and on what Christ has done for us.

As time continues to fly by, it is important to realize what defines a successful season. In the end, it is not the wins (and I’m not just saying that because of our record). People will not remember our record five years from now. They won’t even know who was on the team. People will remember the impact you had on them and what kind of person you were. They will remember your character above all.

Even though we went 1-3 against Kentucky Wesleyan this past weekend and were momentarily stranded when our bus broke down, this weekend was a successful weekend. We celebrated Good Friday with KWC in a special service with their team and shared a meal together. We had the opportunity to talk to and fellowship with their team, of whom not all are Christians. This is just one of the many ways our team has been successful.

This week I would like to ask a favor of you all! Keep Logan in your prayers as she recovers from her surgery on her finger. Also, keep us in your prayers as we go straight into a marathon of 10 games this week. Thank you for all of your support and love through this season!

Until Next Time,

STING IT!

"You can lose when you outscore somebody in a game. And you can win when you’re outscored." – John Wooden


March 22, 2016
One post-game and even post-practice ritual that we do as a team is coming together in a circle to "Praise the Lord." This act allows us to refocus and to give thankful recognition to the One who allowed us to be on the field in the first place. There have been times after a sub-par performance in practice that these three simple words have been strained, but by the time they roll off my lips they become therapeutic. Praise puts life into perspective and gets the focus off of oneself and onto the One whom the focus should be on in the first place. This week in particular has taught us the importance of praising the Lord through it all.

Our first games back from Florida were on Tuesday at Findlay - and I won’t weary you with the recap. Two tough losses to say the least. Praising the Lord was not the natural reaction after a day like this, but without fail we did. We had the choice to focus on ourselves and wallow in self-pity about what we could not change, or we had the choice to trust in God in what He was doing. We did not let one day consume us. Instead, we put it behind us and were able to enjoy the teammates God has blessed us with at dinner, and came out the next day ready to work hard at practice. Friday we had our Home Opener and first G-MAC games against Alderson Broaddus. Though our first game went extra innings, we did not give up! We persevered and hung on to the win for dear life. A great day of softball produced for us two wins, which we definitely praised the Lord for!

As you can see, we had two very different results this week. The most important thing was our response, not only in perseverance but also in praise. It is easy to praise God when things are going well, but harder when things do not go as planned. No matter what this season holds, the Lord gives and takes away but we will praise the name of the Lord!

Until next time,

STING IT!

"This is my prayer in the desert/when all that’s within me feels dry/… I will bring praise/I will bring praise/No weapon formed against me shall remain/I will rejoice/I will declare/ God is my victory and He is here." –"Desert Song", Hillsong


March 15, 2016
Using the word "tired" is not even close to adequate in describing our current state coming back from Spring Break. This trip was physically, emotionally, and in some aspects spiritually taxing on us all. It was a roller coaster of a week containing the full spectrum of emotions, some very challenging and others very positive and rewarding. Fortunately, the peaks and troughs of the week did not occur absent of benefit or acquisition. In any high point and in any valley of life, there is a lot to be learned from either standpoint.

The wonderful thing about sports is that it sets up an avenue for numerous life lessons to be learned both inside the diamond and outside of it in the context of a team. One of the most beneficial experiences from this trip was the challenge given to us to capitalize on our blessings. God has blessed us immeasurably! Not only are we financially blessed to have all of the necessities of life (and in abundance), but we are blessed to have the greatest treasure of all - the Gospel. During this trip we had the opportunity to use both of those blessings to be a blessing to others. Each of the five rooms of girls was given $20 to be a blessing to someone who worked at the hotel and converse with them with the purpose of potentially sharing the Gospel with them if the Spirit opened up the door. With the aroma of Christ, the topic of the Gospel was bound to come up.

One of the coolest stories that I heard occurred when Danielle, Laura, Brooke, and Angela got the chance to speak with a young Muslim from Morocco. They were able to get to know the young man and learn about where he was from and about some of the differences between Morocco and America. This lengthy conversation led them to the different religions in each respective area, and after hearing what he believed as a Muslim and being able to introduce challenging thoughts, this group got to share the Gospel with this man! After the conversation, they gave him the blessing of the money and a miniature New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs Bible that the Gideons handed out in chapel before we left. When the girls checked back the next day, the man had already started reading Philippians!




We are also thankful for all of our awesome families that came out to support us and who have endured this ride with us from the beginning. The amount that you have already done and continue to do, such as providing many team dinners, we are so appreciative of! Also, a special shout out belongs to Monica who volunteered her spring break to help us out in many behind-the-scenes, often tedious, ways. It was great getting to know and room with her in Florida!

Until next time,

STING IT!

"Sports do not build character. They reveal it." - Heywood Broun




March 9, 2016
  If you were on campus Wednesday night, perhaps on a casual stroll around Cedar Lake, during the approximate hours of 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., there is no doubt the enthusiastic clamor coming from a group of girls left you wondering what all the hype was about. If the masterpiece on the rock didn’t give it away, we have officially begun our season in the beautiful, sunshiny state of Florida! We celebrated the dawn of a new season with our second annual team bonding tradition of painting the rock. We were hyped that we made it through preseason, hyped to be playing the full game of softball outside in the sun, and hyped for the ability to glorify God with our talents. We were so hyped that we started an impromptu "J-A-C-K-E-T-S" chant as we were painting the rock! The excitement even continued into the next morning as we were loading the buses at the unearthly hour of 3 a.m. We were not only wide-awake but wide-eyed with excitement as we embarked on the sixteen-game journey that was ahead.

Despite jet lag, a long week of mid-terms before we left, hanger, and exhaustion, we were still hyped. A live tweet sesh after lunch under the hashtag #WhenInFlorida by Christina (@christinak015), Brooke (@brookefarrer), Logan (@logepp), Nikki (@nikeigsti), Emily (@eacornish), and Morgan (@mbarbogast20) sustained the hype while we were here in Florida. (For the next live tweet sesh and to catch the exact buzz, give these ladies a follow!)

Friday night was the night. After we got some rest and some good practices in, we loaded up the vans and headed to the field. A pre-game pump-up jam sesh was inevitable and the whole van was going hard to Lecrae’s "Go Hard." Add a little Emspiration hype sesh and we were ready to "go hard" and "ready for the Lord to use us"!

The first night more than showed our rustiness. Walking away from a rough day of softball to say the least, we came back the next morning stirring our pre-game "recipe for success" and took our first win of the season! As I am writing this, however, we are six games down and not with the outcomes that we have desired. That one game showed a mere glimpse. We will stay hyped because we believe in the abilities that God has blessed us with. We will stay hyped because we have adequately prepared. We will stay hyped because we can only go up from here. The ability to maintain hype will be a deciding factor in our season, but hype is in the nature of "The Cage."

Until next time,
STING IT!

"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up." - Vince Lombardi


March 1, 2016
 
If you were to define our team by one characteristic, it would be hard work. Hard work can often be overlooked by the attractiveness that comes with the grandeur of talent. The one aspect that will set apart a good team from a great team is hard work. As Tim Notke once said, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard." Our hard work as a team has permeated this off-season. Watch any one of our preseason conditioning clips on our Instagram page (@cujacketssb) and you can witness firsthand the droplets of sweat that act as a testimony to our work ethic. From the countless burpees, box jumps, and bases to dreaded flights of stairs that consumed our legs with an aching flame that made us burn with perseverance, we can look back at our off-season knowing we worked hard.

Just look at the two freshmen who won the "plank-off" competition. Angela Stephano took the first competition with a time of 3:57, and Kelsey Caldwell’s determination put her at 5:10 in the second competition. Not convinced yet? Let’s talk about Emily Cornish (aka Emspiration) and Logan Eppich who exceeded all expectations of the wall sit competition. With eight minutes left before practice was to begin, Coach Kim thought we had plenty of time to get a little wall sit competition in. With two steel bats over their heads, sweat pouring down, legs quivering and a look of determination and true grit in their eyes, they blew the wall sit competition out of the water lasting about half an hour! The great part about these competitions was the encouragement the whole team offered to each other as everyone was working hard.

Hard work unites people together. This is one way that we hope to continue to live up to our goal of unity that we discussed and prayed about in our team-led pasta/prayer night in the fall. Our goal of unity comes from Ephesians 4:1-4. We hope to be united in Christ and "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace," bearing with one another in selfless love. Encouragement that promotes hard work and achievement in one another reflects just one aspect of how we are striving towards our goal of unity. The team demonstrated this kind of selfless encouragement when others were struggling in the competitions and even in our daily weight room workouts. This encouragement quickened us to dig a little deeper and go a little harder, uniting us by our hard work and the will to see each other get better. Hard work is an important, versatile tool you want in your team’s toolbox.

With hard work in not only in our hearts but built in our muscles, as well as an itch to get out on the field, we are ready to depart the ‘Ville Thursday morning and commence our season under the Friday night lights in Florida. Our 16 games in Florida will put to the test our hard work, perseverance, and mental toughness that we have cultivated over this off-season. We are giving God all the glory for whatever happens in Florida and for just the ability to go down there and use the talents He has so graciously given us! We can’t wait to see our families soon, and to those of you who can’t make it down we miss you and will keep you updated!

Until next time,
STING IT!

"We determine our standards…Our success will be determined by the sum of our choices." – TCU Baseball 2016 - Uncommon


Elyssa Reyes is a sophomore outfielder/second baseman from Poway, Calif. She is in her second season with the Lady Jackets and is a Dean's List student as a nursing major.