Lipscomb softballers aim to win A-Sun title as school hosts first tournament

For the first time in Lipscomb’s history as an NCAA Division 1 school, the softball team will host the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament at Draper Diamond, beginning Wednesday, May 8. Of the team’s 19 players, only senior outfielder Bree Thurman has won a conference title. She’s hoping to finish off her career with one more. The young women have been running, lifting and scrimmaging for months to get prepared for a successful season and a drive for the tourney title. The team finished the regular season with a 32-22 overall record, also posting up a 18-8 record in conference play. “Conference tournament is what we have all been working for since the fall,” junior third baseman Rena’ Cothron said. “It’s going to be exciting, stressful and loud, with all of our friends and family at the games,” Cothron said. “I can’t wait to play for a championship title in front of all the people I love.” And there really is something to the old phrase:  “home-field advantage.” “It will be nice to finally be the players who know our field the best; that will definitely be to our advantage,” junior catcher Haley Elliott said. “It will be nice too that we don’t have to worry about any kind of travel and we will be in our comfort zone,” Elliot said. Junior shortstop Bridgette Begle smiled, then added:  “The conference title will be that much sweeter when we are champions on our own field.” Photo courtesy of Lipscomb...

LU women’s soccer players team up for mission trip to El Salvador

The Lipscomb women’s soccer team, with the encouragement and support of a new coaching staff, has planned its first spring break mission trip to El Salvador. The team will serve and share the Gospel with indigenous communities and knit a stronger bond between themselves. Assistant coach Chris Klotz has been in direct communication with the mission staff of Sports Outreach Institute, and they have set the trip to begin on March 15. Between now and then, Klotz will be leading team meetings and preparing the hearts and minds of players to accept and embrace the challenge. During a mission trip meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 20, Klotz asked the team to meditate on and pray about Biblical passage Romans 12, which tells Christians to become a living sacrifice for God, serving humbly with joy, faith and sincere love. “There is something very significant that happens to the culture of a team when they are focused on serving others,” Klotz said. “Through building relationships, experiencing a much different culture and realizing that God is bigger than the bubble we live in, it is my prayer that our team would become more unified in the purpose God has for us — to love Him and love others.” “I decided to go on the trip because I wanted to embrace this amazing opportunity God has provided – to travel to an area that isn’t as fortunate as we are here and to show His love to children that have been put in difficult living situations,” sophomore defenseman Brittany Rupple said. El Salvadoran native and freshman midfielder Cristina Giron said she hopes the values of her...