Sept. 6, 2009

9.6.09 - Oklahoma City, Okla.-The National Church of God Softball Tournament has come to a close with Crossroads Community Church taking home the championship in Division I and Southpark Community Church winning Division II.

The number one seeded Crossroads Community Church claimed the Division I title over the number three seed Fresh Start Community Church. Crossroads is from Harrison, Arkansas and has been attending the tournament for five years. Crossroads is coached by Mike Marvel who took over for Ricky Dornak. Fresh Start, from Moore, Oklahoma, put a four spot on the board in the top of the first. Crossroads answered with six runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Fresh Start added two more runs in the second inning, tying the game 6-6 going into the third inning. In the third, Fresh Start went three up and three down. Crossroads used the momentum from their defense to scored eight runs in the third, giving them a 14-6 advantage. Fresh Start was unable to push any runners across the plate as the Crossroads pitching and defense held them scoreless the rest of the way. Crossroads attach five more in the fourth to put the game away at 19-6. Crossroads completed the tournament undefeated with a 6-0 record. Coach Dornak is in Arkansas recovering from some tests; we wish him well and a speedy recovery.

In the Division II Championship, Southpark Community Church of Tulsa, Oklahoma, defeated Bristow Church of God. Southpark, coached by Bill Jackson, has been coming to the tournament for 20 years and this is their first championship. Bristow jumped out to a four run lead in the top of the first but Southpark answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Bristow added two more runs in the top of the second, giving them a 6-3 lead. Southpark posted six runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 9-6 lead into the top of the fifth. Bristow put two on the board to come within one but that is as close as they would get. Southpark put up six more in the bottom of the fifth (15-6). In the sixth inning Bristow scored three runs but Southpark answered with three, giving them an 18-11 advantage. Bristow rallied in the seventh inning, plating four runs with two outs. With runners on first and second they were able to get the tying run to the plate but Southpark got the final out on a pop up to the pitcher. It was a very emotional win as this year's tournament was dedicated to a teammate who passed away this year.

The Jimmy Walker Sportsmanship award was presented to Bethany Church of God from Bethany, Oklahoma. The award goes to the team that represents what Christ would want us to be like. They just don't preach it, they live it. Their actions this weekend was that of someone you knew loved the Lord.

Head Softball Coach, Jerald Lewis and Mid-America Christian University would like to thank everyone for spending the holiday with us once again. The tournament was blessed with great weather and fellowship. MACU would like to thanks to everyone that helped with another successful year. A special thanks goes out to the people at Fairmoore Fields (Dairy Queen Fields) for allowing us to host the tournament again. Also, a big thank you to the Lady Evangel Softball team who gave up their holiday weekend to volunteer at the tournament.