SAN ANTONIO (May 5, 2019) – Last summer, an Oklahoma Christian staff member attended a church service in Norman, Okla., and met a former coaching colleague of then-new OC softball coach Shanon Hays. Upon learning the staff member worked for OC, Hays' friend told him, "Get ready to win, a lot."

Hays' friend's assessment proved prescient. OC figured to have a strong team this season no matter who the coach was, but certainly Hays has helped the Eagles take the next step in the program's development, into Heartland Conference champions and a team ready for its first NCAA Division II postseason appearance.

In the wake of the Eagles' 4-3 win over Lubbock Christian on Saturday in the Heartland tournament title game at the St. Mary's Softball Stadium, there was much celebration, but there also were moments of reflection. During his postgame interview, Hays wanted to make sure his predecessor – who's also the OC program's founder, Tom Heath – received a share of the glory.

"We're happy to be there (in the NCAA postseason)," said Hays, the Heartland's coach of the year. "It's what these girls have been working for. We've said all year long that we'd love to get there for coach Heath. We dedicated getting to the postseason to coach Heath and we plan on taking him with us" when the team returns to Texas – probably Texas A&M-Kingsville – for the Division II South Central Regional later this week.

Heath started the OC program in 1995 and the program enjoyed some postseason success through the years, making the NAIA tournament in 2001 and 2002, winning the Sooner Athletic Conference tournament title in 2005 and finishing as the National Christian College Athletic Association runner-up in 2014 and 2015.

He successfully guided the program through its transition into the NCAA ranks and the Eagles were consistently among the top two or three teams in the Heartland. They came oh-so-close to the elusive Division II postseason bid last year, when they lost in the Heartland tournament final to Rogers State.

One of Heath's mentors is his old baseball coach at OC, Max Dobson, who also is one of the pillars of OC athletics. In addition to coaching baseball, Dobson was the first coach of OC's women's basketball program and built it into an SAC and NAIA District 9 contender in the early 1980s.

When Dobson became OC's athletic director in 1983, he decided to focus more on administration than coaching, but he wanted to give his successor a chance to succeed. After a strong season in 1984-85 – the Lady Eagles went 27-5 and won the SAC title – Dobson knew he had an experienced, talented squad returning that would give his young assistant a fighting chance to make her mark as a head coach.

Stephanie Findley took that squad – which featured All-Americans Pam Kelly and Jan Ross and a plucky point guard now known as Sherri Coale – to the NAIA quarterfinals in her first season in 1985-86 and she's since herself become an OC institution, having just finished her 34th season.

Heath remembered what Dobson had done for Findley and wanted to do the same for whomever followed him, so he decided to step down after the 2018 season, even though the Eagles had six seniors returning (pitcher Madison Hagood, infielders Kaylie Upton, Bridget White and Lacey Davidson and outfielders Hunter Strickland and Kayla Eichler) and an outstanding class of incoming freshmen.

Hays ended up being the beneficiary and appreciated Heath's gesture. Hays has tried to keep Heath involved with the program this season as the Eagles have enjoyed unprecedented success at the Division II level.

"Coach Heath got those six great seniors in there that I got to inherit," Hays said. "One of the things he told me coming in was, 'Hey, I didn't want to leave the cupboard bare,' and he certainly didn't. I couldn't be left with a better group of girls who are quality people. They're good players and they're good people."

Taking Heath's recruits and adding a couple of key transfers in junior Brie Dunckel and sophomore Lindsey Stoeckel, Hays guided the Eagles to a 38-14 record and a share of the regular-season Heartland title to go with the tournament crown. The 38 wins are the most by an OC squad since 2014, when the Eagles won 42 games. Eight OC players earned All-Heartland honors – Upton, Strickland, Eichler, Dunckel, Kali Crandall, Hagood, White and Stoeckel.

With Hays' blessing, Heath has been able to enjoy all that success.

"Right now, I am very proud of what this team has accomplished this year, knowing what they have persevered through with injuries and tragedies in their lives," Heath said. "It is a testament to their toughness and their togetherness. It begins with coach Hays and his coaching staff, who have done an outstanding job developing this team into champions.

"I am very proud and happy for the seniors. They performed like champions but more important, they all graduated this year from Oklahoma Christian. I am looking forward to attending the regional tournament, knowing this team will give its very best effort. I feel very blessed just to be a part of this team."