The Alabama Crimson Tide softball team is playing in the Women’s College World Series this week in Oklahoma City trying to bring a first national title since 2012 back to Tuscaloosa, despite getting close so many times.

On Thursday, the top-seeded Tide was able to earn a comeback victory over UCLA to advance into the winner’s bracket and one step closer to the championship series, giving the fans who made the trip a massive thrilling win to witness.

It was the press conference after the game though that really put things in perspective as to how this team operates.

When asked about their faith as a team, each player gave a thoughtful answer as to what they know their bigger purpose is.

“Before every inning I pray and it just helps keep me grounded and I feel like it’s just really been able to help me understand that I’m playing for something a lot more than just my success on the field or anything that I do on the field,” star pitcher Jocelyn Briski said. “To be surrounded by a team that loves God so much has seriously transformed my life and all these girls just pour into Christ so it really is just a joy.”

“It really reminds me that I’m saved by my faith and not my performance,” Alexis Pupillo added. “This game does not define me and I’m a child of God. I think it also helps me to not let the moment get too big…when you’re just so grateful that God has blessed us to be here, then you don’t let jealousy, negativity, stuff like that creep into your mind and create self doubt.”

“We are the role models for the up and coming generation, and God has given us this opportunity to not only glorify His name but to be that example and show them what God’s light is through us.”

Brooke Wells, who hit the game winning home run, also weighed in on how much her faith has allowed her to move forward in her career and let failures wash off while focusing on gratitude.

“I tended to not dwell on what happened before, but it was always in the back of my mind, and so kinda just focusing on trusting His process and trusting His plan, He has everything in store for us and we have to just continue to trust that and just do what we do.”

As Alabama moves into the winner’s bracket and prepares to face Nebraska this weekend, it’s obvious that this team is going to continue to try to glorify God while pursuing a historic national championship. If Tide fans weren’t proud enough already, they certainly should be now.