Four years, 36 different players, 208 wins, 23 losses, 269 homeruns, 1650 strike outs, 77 consecutive wins at home, 4 PSAC championships, 4 Regional Championships leading to 4 trips to the NCAA DII National Tournament, 1 National Championship runner-up, 1 3^rd place, and 2 National Championship Titles.  The numbers are remarkable, the talent is through the roof, the coaching staff amazing, and the memories are truly priceless. 

I am at a loss for words beginning to work on my last blog.  I really cannot believe it is all over; my college career, my softball career, and spending everyday with the same group of girls.  It is extremely bittersweet because I am ready and excited to start this new chapter of my life but it's amazingly different.  Just like how our sport is a game of adjustments that is just want I have to do with my life now.  After being correlated with the game of softball for most of my life and with Lock Haven softball for the past four years, a small bit of identity loss is occurring now within myself and I would assume my other 7 graduated seniors.  Even though our college careers have ended... we were victorious in our very last college softball game... not many athletes are able to say that.

The NCAA Championship Tournament was incredible.  I believe the one thing that helped us in the end was how much fun we had.  We let ourselves have such a good time and we enjoy goofing off together.  From the freshmen to senior class we are so silly and we stay so loose and relaxed... on and off the field.  

We began the Championship week on Tuesday when we arrived in beautiful Salem, Virginia and ended on Monday, May 25, 2009 at the Championship game.  Our first game was on Thursday, the day after our first practice, the BBQ for all 8 teams, and the All-American Banquet.  We faced Le Moyne and were able to beat them 5-0.  The next day we were matched up against Alabama-Huntsville.  Our bats weren't as alive as usual and we fell 3-1.  Losing this game made our fight for the title a little more difficult but it did not faze the 19 players and 3 coaches of Lock Haven University.  We held our heads high because feeling sorry and down does no good when you still have elimination games to play... and play we did.  The day after our loss we beat Indianapolis 2-0 and Sunday we beat North Georgia who were previously ranked #1 twice, 8-0 and 8-1.  Beating them twice sent N. Georgia home and sent us to the championship game on Monday where it was winner takes all.  And take it all we did.

We tied an NCAA record by scoring 32 runs in our run for the title, and we're the only ever NCAA championship game to make use of the mercy rule by scoring 8 runs before the 6^th inning.  Coming in first place was our goal for the season.  We set the bar high because we knew it was in our reach.  Looking back on the beginning of our season I was laughing with our center fielder Nancy O'Connor earlier today because we started our season 1-3 in Hawaii.  It's hard to believe how far we came but like I have said before, as a team we learn from every game and every pitch and we adjust accordingly. 

Saying good-bye to the Lock Haven softball program and the athletic program in general is very difficult.  I was so blessed to be able to work with such qualified and intelligent coaches and a wonderfully supportive athletic department staff.  I'll never forget my first few months of school as a freshman.  I was extremely homesick and wasn't sure how long I would be able to last in the city of Lock Haven and its University.  Looking back now, I couldn't imagine my college career going any other way. 

I am so incredibly happy that the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen were able to experience this national championship.  Every girl on our team contributed to this successful season including those who weren't necessarily on the field.  Everyone helps to better the team and pushes those who are part of the line-up.  I also hope those younger girls who now know what being a championship tastes like it will push them for more bites in the future.  I wish the girls behind me all the luck in the world and I hope they have as much fun and success and my class did.  As I have said before, you don't know how fast it all goes until it is all gone. 

It's almost like a fairy-tale ending for Lock Haven softball this year.  We have truly been blessed with the players on the team, our coaches, and the support from staff, faculty, the city of Lock Haven, and our extremely dedicated fans.  I thank all of those who have spent time reading my blogs here on the NCAA site and I am grateful I was able to participate in this fun and interactive way of expressing myself during the most important time of my life. 

I am so proud to call myself a Lock Haven University alumna and a Lady Eagle Softball graduate.  The amount of pride is indescribable and I know my other seniors feel the same.  I wish my remaining teammates the best of luck with everything they do and I can't wait until the fact that I am a two-time National Champion actually hits me... I'm not sure if I will be smiling or crying (happy tears of course). 

Well I guess now the real world is calling my name... I don't think I'm going to answer quite yet.

Oh and don't forget... GO HAVEN!

Norris #22