NCAA Baseball Team Embraces Faith on the Road to the World Series
A season defined by a renewed spiritual focus transformed the Messiah Falcons’ outlook—and their performance. Rather than solely chasing victories, the team made it their mission to point others toward Christ, setting aside recent ambitions of a national championship in favor of a higher calling.
A Shift in Priorities
After a rocky 1-6 start, head coach Phillip Shallenberger and his players decided to change their approach. The focus moved away from simply winning games toward serving a spiritual purpose. “It stopped being about whether we could win a national championship and became about how we could bring people closer to Christ,” recalled one of the team’s pitchers.
The transformation became evident during team meetings and practice. In addition to video sessions analyzing opponents, the squad began devoting more time to studying scripture and discussing lessons on leadership and service. The shift in mindset helped the team play with renewed passion and unity.
Embracing Devotion in Training
Coach Shallenberger even added unique elements to the team’s workouts. At one point, the players were challenged to carry 250-pound crosses during a session scheduled between conference games—a physical reminder of the burden and beauty of their commitment. In one notable performance, pitcher Daniel Knight delivered an eight-and-a-third inning shutout with nine strikeouts shortly after one of these grueling workouts.
Reflecting on that game, Knight explained, “It was a wake-up call for me. I realized that glorifying God has to be our first priority—even if that means we’re not always at our physical best. Relying on the Lord for strength really changed the way I approached the game.”
Scripture on the Sidelines
The change extended beyond workouts. The team began incorporating scripture into their routine by adding inspirational Bible verses and sayings onto their play-call wristbands—replacing old instructions with messages like “Jesus over everything” and prompts to surrender personal ambition in favor of service.
This small yet meaningful gesture served as a constant reminder for the players to keep their focus on faith rather than on statistics or the scoreboard. Infielder Drew Hurst noted that these reminders were especially helpful during challenging moments on the field, guiding the players to channel frustration into a deeper purpose.
Turning the Season Around
After the initial setbacks, the team’s newfound dedication led to dramatic improvement. Starting with a decisive 16-4 win over Dickinson College, the Falcons went on a remarkable run—winning 16 of their next 19 games—which propelled them into contention for the Division III World Series title.
While they ultimately fell short in the championship rounds against a tough University of Wisconsin-Whitewater squad, the season was celebrated as one of the most historic and transformative in the program’s history. The players, inspired by their spiritual journey, are already looking ahead to the next season with excitement and a renewed determination to put their faith first.
Their story stands as a testament to the power of faith and the belief that true victory is not measured solely by wins, but by the strength and unity found in pursuing a higher purpose.
Rockin’ the faith, one verse at a time!
Growing up, the Bible’s stories deeply impacted me. Now, with over 15 years of preaching experience, I blend timeless teachings with modern technology, making them relevant for today’s world.
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