championship rings Feb. 1 in the Fred DeLay gymnasium. | Photo by Anne Richoux
The Union Lady Bulldog softball team was honored for its achievement on becoming the 2013 National Christian College Athletic Association national champions during an official ring ceremony Feb. 1 at the half time of the Lady Bulldog basketball game.
During last year’s post-season, the Lady Bulldogs faced their ultimate rival, Shorter University, in the national championship, to whom they had lost three times in the regular season.
Union was seeded six in the tournament but advanced to the championship as the only unbeaten team.
Union lost the first championship game 1-0 to Shorter University who, in order to win, needed to defeat Union twice.
Union dominated the second “if necessary” game, defeating Shorter University 4-1 and claiming the national championship title.
The ceremony took place in the Fred DeLay Gymnasium during halftime of the Lady Bulldogs basketball game.
Most of the current Lady Bulldog softball team was present during the ceremony as well as the 2013 national championship team, who were then awarded their rings by Union’s athletic director Tommy Sadler.
“We lined up outside [the gym] near the concession stand and once halftime started, we walked out and formed a semi-circle and they announced, ‘This is your NCCAA National Championship softball team,’ ” said Kelly Robey, junior pitcher for the Bulldogs. “Then we were named one by one and people who received awards from the tournament were also acknowledged.”
Robey was recognized for making the 2013 NCCAA National All-Tournament Team and for being named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, NCCAA National Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-American.
She will be returning this season as one of the top pitchers for the Lady Bulldogs.
“It was just a really nice time to have the team back together and have everybody kind of celebrate again,” said Heather Hall, the proud head coach of the championship-winning Lady Bulldogs.
“We kind of struggled at the beginning of the regular season and we lost to Shorter [University] three times. Coming back and beating them to win the national title is something to be celebrated.”
The Lady Bulldogs’ first home appearance took place the weekend of Feb. 15-16 against Lee University.
The Bulldogs lost the first game of the series 1-3, won the second game 7-5 but lost the third game 2-7.
The Bulldogs also went 2-0 in a double-header against Miles College on Feb. 17 in Fairfield, Ala.