Praying for Sunshine!

Hello, hello. Hopefully this time next week I will actually have an entry worth posting instead of one like I am posting tonight. Once again, our games this past weekend at Oklahoma Wesleyan were postponed due to weather. I don't even know if words can describe how anxious the team is to begin this season, especially now that we've had to wait an additional 2 weeks to play.

This weekend we are hosting an invitational tournament at Lone Elm Park Softball Complex in Olathe, and have some quality opponents ahead of us. Playing Ottawa will be a true test, considering the last time we played them was in our final game of the 2010 season at Nationals down in Alabama. We ended their season with a loss, so it goes without saying that they will be ready to get some revenge. We will also be tested against St. Gregory's University, a school that participates in what is arguably one of the toughest conferences in NAIA Softball: the Sooner Athletic Conference. I played against several of the SGU players when we were younger, and I know they will be a tough opponent. Bellevue (Nebraska) University is also a team I am looking forward to playing. They qualified for Nationals last season, like us, and seem to always have a great team year after year.

I'm just so excited to see what our team can do. We were finally able to go outside last week and work on team defense (my personal favorite). Our pitchers continue to work hard and look great during live hitting sessions, and our hitters are constantly working to improve themselves. All we can do now is continue to hope and pray that the rain is light, the temperatures warm up, and the sun shines once Friday and Saturday arrive. It's almost time for MNU SOFTBALL!! Get excited :)

P.S. Coach Mac showed us an awesome video to help us understand the importance of believing in ourselves, and I thought it was worth sharing with you as well. Click here to see it.

Love Always,
Taylor #21

One More Week

I want to begin by thanking you for reading this blog, and I hope you will be interested in returning to this page throughout the next few months as my teammates and I begin our quest for a repeat HAAC Championship...

I began this blog last season when we travelled to Alabama for the NAIA National Tournament, and I am beyond excited to keep Pioneer Nation up-to-date on the 2011 MNU Softball team this season! My goal is not to provide you with a recap and/or summary of our games, since that is what the Sports Information Department is for :) Instead, my hope is to allow every individual who reads this blog the opportunity to see the team in its entirety: the work we put forth in practice, the experiences we share off the field, and the memorable things that are worth repeating. I have a good feeling that you will grow to love and appreciate this team more and more with every entry you choose to read.

With that being said, I thought it would be a good idea to give you a brief summary of the last four weeks we've had since returning to campus from Christmas Break...

• Our team spent most of our first day back before classes learning about our own and each other's strengths through the Strengths Quest program. We were able to see how our teammates and coaches handle conflict, as well as the various ways in which they communicate, set expectations, and ultimately live their lives. It was an extremely beneficial experience!
• My fellow seniors and I were in charge of leading practices during the first week, which allowed everyone the opportunity to get back in the swing of things--no pun intended ;) Obviously because of the cold weather, we are limited to practicing indoors in the South Gym of Cook Center, but the way I've always viewed it: it could be worse...WAY worse.
• We've worked a lot on hitting and adjusting to different speeds of pitching. Coach established a Hitting League in which groups of three players compete against each other in several rounds of 10 cuts off the pitching machine. We also broke in the new Lite Flight ball machine, which helps batters pick up the ever-so-dangerous rise ball. That one definitely took several of us some getting-used-to.
• Defense practice has been limited because of the small space we're allowed, but our coaches have us working on several fundamental drills that I believe will give us an edge come time for the season to start. I must admit, it is scary to think that the first time we get outside will most likely be our first game of the season.
• Coach Mac, who runs the Sports Psychology program for our team, had us participate in a "dating video" to help us gain a better understanding of each other on a personal level. It was both eye-opening and entertaining, to say the least.
• We also took part in an ugly sweater bowling party last week, which I must admit has been my favorite "Team MNU" day thus far. Two things I learned from that experience are: 1.) Shoulder pads are extremely difficult to remove from sweaters, and 2.) Never, ever, ever, ever bowl against Steph or Laura.

Sadly our games this weekend in my home state of Oklahoma have been cancelled due to poor field conditions. As bummed as I and the rest of the girls are that our season opener has been postponed an entire week, we know through our Sports Psychology sessions that weather is one thing we will never be able to control. Hopefully the sun will shine brightly back home next week and the temperatures will allow for the snow to melt and dry in time for our triple header against Oklahoma Wesleyan on Saturday. Until then, we'll just keep working hard inside and continue praying for mother nature to be on our side.

Love Always,
Taylor #21

MNU Softball: What it's all about...

It's about having half-tanned arms and ghost-white legs.

It’s walking by Williams Field on your way to class in January, wondering if the snow will melt in time for the first home game.

It’s about sitting in Chapel praying for the snow to melt in time for the first home game.

It’s about conditioning practices when you wonder if this is in fact what it’s like to die.

It’s about making history and breaking records.

It’s two hour study tables that you may hate, but know deep down are saving your GPA.

It’s about mastering the art of sunflower seed spitting and hair bow tying.

It’s giving back to those who are in much more need than you could ever imagine.

It’s about getting to weights extra early in order to avoid the punishment of even one floor sweep.

It’s sliding into home to score the winning run.

It’s about playing in the freezing cold, cuddling with teammates under a million blankets in the dugout, and only getting up when it’s your turn to be on deck.

It’s about playing in 100-plus degrees, never forgetting to pack sunscreen and an ice chest full of towels and water.

It’s standing on second, stealing the catcher’s signs.

It’s crying with your teammates after the season comes to an end.

It’s pregame rituals, drawing pictures in the dirt with your bat, handshakes with teammates after an out, and forgetting the signs as soon as you step into the batter’s box.

It’s professors who stop you between classes to talk about the game you played the day before.

It’s making absolutely zero plans on weekends because you’re exhausted from five days of practices, weights, conditioning, and classes.

It’s about other students you don’t even know cheering for you at home games.

It’s about thinking you’re good at hitting, and then you meet Coach Juber :)

It’s about playing for what’s on the front of your jersey instead of what’s on the back.

It’s tripping on the grass your first day of wearing metal cleats.

It’s thinking you’re cool when you show 2 outs with your index and pinky fingers instead of the generic way you learned how to do it in kindergarten.

It’s awkward stares from the public when they see you wearing several ice bags on your shoulders, backs, and legs. If they only knew…

It’s coaches who make every practice worth your time and teammates who keep you from getting homesick.

It’s about making the most out of being stuck in a hotel all night.

It’s about hearing your name over the PA system, and walking up to bat with your favorite song playing in the background.

It’s reliving old memories and creating new ones each and every day.

It’s about making sure every action shot of you is tagged on the Athletics Facebook page.

It’s jumping over the chalk lines, putting on the left sock before the right one, and playing catch with the same person the entire season because you’re superstitious.

It’s diving for a ball and actually catching it.

It’s never, ever giving up until the final out is made.

It’s about ending seasons and careers; watching others grieve as you celebrate.

It’s about teammates becoming sisters, and coaches becoming friends.

It’s long bus rides, bad restaurant food, awkward sleeping positions, and bus drivers that you swear don’t have a license.

It’s about thinking you’re a great hitter until you see a rise ball for the first time.

It’s about thinking you’re not that slow until you see a slapper for the first time.

It’s having the NAIA Stats website saved under “Favorites” on your computer.

It’s about making sure every memorable moment is added to “The Book.”

It’s about playing for the “coolest coaching staff in the nation.”

It’s eating at the same place every time as long as you’re winning.

It’s about being proud to wear MNU across your chest.

It’s remembering those who came before you and those who will follow along the path you leave behind.

It’s about always remembering the One who gave you the gift to play in the first place.

It's about looking back on where you once were and where you are now; what you achieved then and what you have yet to accomplish; the girl who picked up a ball for the first time, and the woman who is only months away from hanging up her cleats for good.

2011 SEASON BEGINS FEBRUARY 12TH!!

Love Always,
Taylor #21

Havin' A Day!!

In the bottom of the fifth inning, I was dreading what I would have to write in this blog. We were losing to Ottawa 4-2, and were down to our last 6 outs of the ballgame. While it may not have seemed like so much was on the line, we were playing for more than anyone could ever imagine. We were playing for bragging rights. We were playing for the state of Kansas. We were playing for a season-ending win. Most of all, we were playing for our seniors. How quickly one inning can change things...

Bri has been our leadoff hitter all season long. Whenever she comes up to bat, I scream at the top of my lungs: "You lead, we follow!" She did...and so did we. The best thing about having a slapper like Bri is all the things she can do to get on base. She chose to swing away, and luckily she got the best of Ottawa's shortstop. Of course, she stole second base as if it were nothing. True walked shortly after, then Jen received a free pass as well. I was next up, and of course, I caved. A weak pop-up to shortstop did nothing for our team. Bri stayed at third, True stayed at second, Jen stayed at first. Thanks to me, we had the bases loaded with one out rather than zero. But one thing I have learned after playing collegiate softball for 3 years is that if one person can't get the job done, another one can. Thankfully, Mayhle bats after me. She picked me up. She held the rope for me. She came through and gave us the lead we would never lose. I will love her forever simply for hitting a single up the middle.

Fittingly, Penny, Russ, and Mayhle took the field for the final time in the top of the 7th. Ottawa thought they were going to come back and pull off the upset, but I never doubted us for a second. I knew we had it. I knew we were going to pick up win #46. I knew we were finishing the season exactly how we should be. When Penny pitched her last pitch...when Mayhle caught the final out in left field...when Russ embraced them both in the middle of the infield after hearing the umpire call "Ball Game"...that's when I got emotional.

I know what it is like to play my last softball game. But I was blessed with the opportunity to come back and continue my career. Those three seniors will not know that feeling. They have played their final softball game. I almost feel bad for having one more year of eligibility. The entire team knows that one day, their careers will also end. None of us want to experience it after watching Penny, Mayhle, and Russ experience it today. I could write for days about how amazing they were all season long, but to put it simply, they will be impossible to replace.

To summarize the 2010 MNU Softball season in a blog would be virtually impossible. What I can do is think of the memorable things that made our 46-8 season so special...

• Our first win--which was our first game--against SNU (Salty's personal favorite).
• Going 3-0 in Wichita, mostly thanks to Jen hitting 4 homeruns throughout the day.
• Penny throwing a 19 strikeout perfect game against Southwestern.
• Winning 5 of our 6 games in Arizona, our only loss being to the #3 team in the nation by 2 runs.
• Starting off at 2-3 in conference play, only to win 15 straight conference games and 22 total before losing to Evangel in the 2nd round of postseason play.
• Sweeping Central Methodist at their place...probably shocking the entire HAAC at that point.
• Jen and Penny's back-to-back no hitters against Baker.
• Hitting 3 homeruns against Missouri Valley with my parents there to watch.
• Getting a slight scare from Graceland the next day, then finding out Lindenwood lost to Benedictine (securing our regular season Conference Championship).
• The 17-inning come from behind win against Evangel in the 2nd round of playoffs: Laura's pinch hit double to score Mayhle; Bri's throw from centerfield to home; Jess's perfect tag at the plate to keep us in the game.
• Bri finally throwing a runner out at first from centerfield.
• Playing the #7 team in the nation (Point Loma) to an 8-inning game at Nationals.
• Coming from behind to beat Ottawa in our final game of the season at Nationals.

I know I've left so many other memories out. I know people will read this and say to themselves: "What about this?" "What about that?" I know all of us will look back on this season and remember and forget different things. One thing I know all 19 of us will cherish this day a little more than others. We made history all season, and we have one more record to add: the first win MNU Softball ever had at the NAIA National Championship.

I want to take this time to thank every person who reads this blog, and any of the other blogs I have posted this past week. If you know me, you know I love to write. If you don't know me, you can probably guess that I love to write. I hope this blog allowed you to feel like you were at least with us in spirit while we lived all of our dreams at this amazing and prestigious event in NAIA Softball. On behalf of the players and coaches, thank you so much for supporting Pioneer Softball. Thank you for thinking of us when you never had to. Thank you for sharing such a memorable experience with us. We are blessed to be Pioneers. We are blessed to attend MidAmerica Nazarene University. It is you who helped make the 2010 season one we will never forget.

IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE A PIONEER!!

Love Always,
Taylor #21

Happy Birthday to Me :)

I was so sad to see my parents leave to go back home to Oklahoma yesterday after our disappointing loss to Point Loma. Selfishly, it was because my birthday was the next day...and they would be missing it. I thought today was going to be miserable. I thought it would feel just like another day rather than my special day. Thank goodness for my amazing MNU Softball family!!

This morning we attended church at the First Church of the Nazarene in Decatur. We were joined in congregation by Point Loma Nazarene from California (the team we played Saturday) and Trevecca Nazarene University from Tennessee. We were welcomed with open arms by the small community church and its many devoted members. I loved Coach Babs's message, which was that even though we may come from Kansas, California, Tennessee, and Alabama, we still gathered on this day to worship the same God. I was moved by the sermon and touched deeply by the songs we sang in worship. I felt an enormous sense of pride after Coach's message. I was, and still am, truly proud to be one of his players.

The church was gracious enough to feed us lunch at CiCi's Pizza, and David, our bus driver, made a special trip to the mall so I could pick up the cookie cake my parents ordered for my birthday. It was huge!! (Enough to feed 40 people) A few girls stayed in the hotel to catch up on rest, while the others took a short trip to Huntsville for a shopping venture. The day ended with an amazing dinner at Mi Hacienda Mexican Restaurant. The girls decided to tell our waiter it was my birthday...and not only was I given a sombrero to wear in honor of my special day, but I was also serenaded with the "Happy Birthday" song in Spanish. Everyone clapped. Russ filmed the whole thing. I turned bright red. It was pretty awesome!! It was finally time for cookie cake when we got back to the hotel. You know how I said it fed 40 people? Somehow the 25 of us demolished it. I think I heard a few of the girls say they had 3 pieces each.

Tonight is packing night. It's hard to believe our trip will be over tomorrow. After playing Ottawa, we will have just enough time to take showers, grab some food, and head back to Olathe. We will soon head our separate ways for the summer, which makes me tremendously sad. I never thought I would hate to go back home to Oklahoma, but I have 18 sisters who make saying "good-bye" so hard. Tomorrow's game is for bragging rights. It's for one final "W" added to our record. Most of all, it's for #3, #14, and #19. They deserve to go out on a win. Mayhle, Russ, and Penny are the epitome of leadership. I cannot think of a better trio of seniors to play under. I love them so much, and will hate to watch our final game together come to an end.

We travelled over 600 miles to play a school that is 30 miles south of us. One team will walk away from Nationals with a 1-2 record and the right to say they are the best NAIA softball program in Kansas. I see no reason why that team should not be MidAmerica Nazarene University. Watch or listen to us play tomorrow at 9:00 AM :) God Bless!!

THANK YOU MNU SOFTBALL FOR THE GREATEST 22ND BIRTHDAY EVER!! LOVE YOU ALL :)

Love Always,
Taylor #21

Time to End With a Win

The #7 team in the nation played up to their reputation today. That's impressive. The #22 team played just as good. That's even more impressive. All season long, we have been in search of respect from other NAIA coaches and teams. I think today, even after losing 1-0 in 8 innings, we finally made a name for ourselves. I can only imagine what would have happened if we had beaten Point Loma today. The score may have reflected a lack of offense on our side, but once again, it was defense and pitching that kept us alive throughout the ballgame. In the end, one hit...one adjustment at the plate...one solid swing was what made all the difference.

In 53 games this season, we have watched the other team celebrate only 8 times. Even with a .850 winning percentage, it is still so hard to lose. Monday will be our final game of the 2010 season. It will be the last game Penny, Mayhle, and Russ play forever. It will be the last time we compete as the greatest team in MNU Pioneer Softball history. Coach reminded us that not very often does a team get to end its season with a win. There's no other way to end our season than with win #46.

Thank you to all who watched or listened to the game today. Thank you to all who made the trip and withstood the heat and dreadful humidity the southeast has to offer. Thank you to our honorary coach for giving us Auburn/Alabama shirts. And thank you to Coach Babs for reminding us that even after a loss, we still have something to be proud of.

GO, GO, MNU!!

Love Always,
Taylor #21

Rain, Rain, Go Away

So we may have left the awful weather in Kansas, but somehow it found its way to Decatur. Thanks to rain all evening and morning, all games were pushed back to tomorrow, causing pool play to extend into Monday rather than finishing up on Saturday. I wish I could be writing about how great we played today against Point Loma Nazarene, and how we are still in the hunt to compete in the 8-team double elimination bracket, but instead I get to write about how awesome it was for the girls to spend time with each other's families and just get away from the hotel for a few hours. I was lucky to have my parents meet up with the team for lunch at Chili's, and then get treated to birthday shopping with my mom. I am a huge Alabama Softball fan, so I purchased a crimson ROLL TIDE shirt at Hibbett Sports, but because my uncle is an assistant softball coach at Auburn, I had to buy a navy blue AU shirt too. I am now confused as to why my shirt says WAR EAGLES across the front, but their mascot is the Tigers. I guess I will Google it later.

The rest of the team found other ways to stay busy in the wonderful town of Decatur. Some of the girls went to see the new Shrek movie and gave it "two thumbs waaaay up!" Another group of girls went bowling, which had to have been a great time if you ask me. We may have been deprived of softball for a day, but it was easy for us to find something fun to do other than playing ball together. I must admit, I have never been apart of, or even witnessed a more close-knit group of ladies as the MNU Softball team. We love each other both as teammates and as friends. I am so happy to surround myself with such a great group of athletes and coaches.

Back to softball though...

Tomorrow we play PLNU and we know they are a good team. They have a great pitching staff and solid hitting from top to bottom. They are a fast team, which is what we saw yesterday against Shorter. They make things happen by putting the ball in play rather than cranking doubles in the gaps and homeruns that clear the fence. They come from a strong conference, so I am sure they have seen good pitching and have defended great hitting. We know we have to play our best in order to prevail tomorrow. We are a team that plays up to our opponents, though. We play best when it matters most. I have no doubt tomorrow's game will be better than some people may think.

I hope you can find time to catch the game on the Internet or radio tomorrow. In the famous words of Joe Willis: FEAR THE NEER!! :)

Love Always,

Taylor #21