Eagles Softball Rolls into 2024 Season

Ladies Eagle’s softball is back to begin their 2024 spring season. Sophomore utility player Kiley Brewster explained the excitement she feels for the upcoming season. 

“It was a dream as a little girl, getting to be here, learn about my faith, as well as play with some great girls,” Brewster said. “It’s just a dream come true, and it’s just been so much fun.”

Being a part of the squad which made it to the Lone Star conference final the year prior, Brewster is no stranger to success in the past and what early success against top ranked teams means for the team.

“Having that early momentum shows what we’ve been working towards is paying off,” Brewster said. “There’s things we would do differently, but overall we’re seeing that we’re in the right direction and that we’re ready to grind it out until the end of the season.”

Junior pitcher and fellow utility player Grace Anderson spoke on what elite competition meant for the team so early in the season.

“It’s challenging,” Anderson said. “It’s pushing us to our end goal.”

Anderson and Brewster shared some goals the team has. 

“We want to be regional champions,” Anderson said. “We want to get to host conferences.”

“We have a lot of team goals we want to reach,” Brestwer said. “We want to just show who Oklahoma Christian is. The program has never hosted the Super Regional before, so that is also something we really want to do.”

Anderson gave some of her personal goals for the season.

“I want to be an All-American,” Anderson said. “I also want to just go out there and succeed in general.”

For Brewster, her personal goals center around adaptability.

“I’m playing multiple positions this year, and I just want to be there to help out,” Brewster said. “Do everything I can to help the team in whatever position I’m put in.” 

The Lady Eagles home opener featured an incredible win over the University of Central Oklahoma. Head coach Shalee Rodriguez spoke on what the win meant for the team. 

“The atmosphere was super awesome. We had a huge crowd for the home opener, that was great,” Rodriguez said. “Honestly, it’s a game which went how we expected it to go, against a top 25 team we knew the game was going to be tough. Both teams played pretty well, obviously no game is over until it’s over, and it’s really nice to come out with a win”

Rodriguez took a moment to highlight several players, including senior hybrid athlete Brooklyn Bain, who cannot play the beginning of the softball season due to competing in the 2023-2024 basketball season.

“We have seven seniors, so we’re pretty old,” Rodriguez said. “These first couple weeks without Bain will be a little bit game changing for our team. We’re doing fine without her, but she will add another little spark and dimension to our team.

“Pitching wise we’re looking for a big year from Grace Anderson,” Rodriguez said. “She had to sit out 10 weeks last year due to injury. I think she’ll do some big things for us. After that, we have several plays fans can be watching any given day, so I’m hoping they all have an electric year for us.”

Rodiriguez mentioned the challenge Oklahoma Christian faces of playing in a powerhouse region.

“We play in the Lone Star Conference, so it’s not going to get easier from here,” Coach Rodriguez said. “But I think our girls are ready for that. We’re just ready to compete and play our game, day in and day out.”

The Lady Eagles will be competing down in Texas this weekend, taking on Lubbock Christian from Feb. 16-17 and then St. Edward’s University from Feb. 20-21. Their next home series will be on Feb. 24-25 against Texas A&M International University. 

Brewster spoke on how helpful it is to have a packed stadium.

“We have a lot of huge games coming to Oklahoma Christian this year,” Brewster said. “The support is huge for us, and we just can’t wait. We’re excited, and we hope everyone else is excited.”