BYU softball has provided its roster with some of the best opportunities to grow not only on the field, but also in a relationship with God and a testimony of Jesus Christ.
BYU softball players have expressed that their relationship with God is strengthened largely in part by the spiritual aspects and culture that the Cougars hold on and off the field. Many attribute their talents and abilities on the field to their relationship with God outside of the ballpark.
“In every aspect of my game, as a senior, I’ve been able to grow and learn. I think if I’d compare myself from freshman year to now, I think I’ve definitely grown in a lot of aspects, both on the field, off the field, and in my spiritual life as well," said senior short stop Hailey Morrow.
Morrow has played with the Cougars for four years, through her whole college career. She is from Las Vegas, Nevada, and has been playing softball since 2015. She started as catcher in Provo for two years before she was moved to shortstop in the 2025 season.
She ended her fourth collegiate year early due to an injury from a wild pitch which broke her arm late in the season, ending her career with the Cougars.
“When I reflect on my career at BYU, I think that some of my biggest spiritual growth has come when things aren’t going well athletically," Morrow said. "I’ve really had to learn that my worth is not tied to my performance. That pushes me to rely on God more.”
“Hailey is the cornerstone of our team. She is and always has been very spiritual," said BYU softball coach Gordon Eakin. “Hailey is a born leader; you see and feel Christ in every area of her life.”
Morrow finished her career with 36 home runs out of 498 at bats. She maintained a .297 batting average and contributed to her team’s scoring through her four years with 122 runs batted in. She participated in 181 games as a Cougar.
“I think that BYU has given me the most amazing opportunity where I didn’t have to choose between the sport I love and between my Savior," Morrow said. "I can have both. I don’t think you can get that anywhere else.”
Maddie Udall Woolley, the Cougars’ first baseman from Phoenix, Arizona, shared a similar reflection.
“Playing any college sport anywhere isn’t easy. A lot of hours and sacrifices are made, but being at BYU, meeting my teammates, and the people that I have, and the memories that I have made every sacrifice so much more meaningful.”
Udall-Woolley played a semester at Utah Valley University before transferring to BYU. She has also played four years with the Cougars. Udall-Woolley praised Morrow for being a light in her life and especially a light on the field.
In response to hearing that, Morrow said, “You can’t do this journey alone … so my teammates have been a great help to me and also relying on God and relying on my Savior helps me know I’m never going through anything alone.
“It’s really easy to rely on God when things are going smooth and they’re going your way, but when things are tough and you’re not winning, or you’re maybe in a slump, those are the times where I’ve really had to rely on God,” Morrow added. “There’s no way I could’ve done it without Him … When you can keep that perspective, it really takes of a lot of the pressure of the game.”
Udall-Woolley had a similar take by saying, “I’m just going to lean on Christ and focus on what I can control.”
Udall-Woolley quickly learned to work hard while loving her teammates and coaches. She recognized that the people she affects and is affected by is the most important part of the game.
“Something my mom always told me growing up … People aren’t going to remember the errors you made; they’re not going to remember you striking out, they’re going to remember the memories you’ve made,” Udall-Woolley said.
Udall-Woolley has continued to be a bright spot for the Cougars’ infield.
“Maddie shines each day. She is always kind and friendly to everyone. You can feel her genuine nature,” Eakin said about his senior first baseman.
Senior Lily Owens from Chino Hills, California, has been shining in the Cougars’ outfield with her speed and quick reads on fly balls.
Owens, a member of the Catholic faith, has cherished her time at BYU and has loved the opportunities that the University has presented to her as an athlete and student.
She started her NCAA softball career at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. After a season with the Mountain Hawks, Owens was contacted by Eakin and she came to Provo, where she’s been since her sophomore year.
“I grew up going to Catholic school, so starting class with a prayer, starting practice with a prayer, being able to freely talk about religion wasn’t new to me whatsoever," Owens said. “It was actually kind of uncomfortable at my first school that that wasn’t something that was done every day. It was more of a transition to not do those types of things.
“It’s been great to come back to a place that is so Christ centered, even though it’s not the exact same religion as mine," Owens said. “We believe in the same Christ. We believe in compassion and love and being the best disciple of Christ that we can. That was really important to me and why I’ve stayed [at BYU].”
Owens started attending a Bible study while in Provo which was ran by BYU pitcher Kaysen Korth.
“Being an athlete is just so hard … While I was going through things the only relief I could find is through the scriptures,” Korth said about why she started Bible studies with teammates and friends.
Although Korth and Owens belong to different sects of Christianity, they have found commonalities in the beliefs of Jesus Christ and have reported on how their respective relationships with God have helped them to work as a team on the field and to grow closer to Christ together.
“You’re more successful as an athlete when your main goal is to represent Christ,” Korth said.
“Lily has grown into a player and person that is driven to succeed not for personal accolades, but for the benefits of others,” Eakin said.
Over her collegiate career, Owens has hit over 25 home runs in over 600 at bats.
Owens’ recent grandmother passed away during the first week of the 2025 softball season and she shared that it was detrimental to her, yet her teammates stepped in and gave her the push she needed.
“I have a deep appreciation for the LDS Church because I don’t think I’ve really met anybody who isn’t Christ-centered … everybody has been so kind and open,” Owens said.
Owens talked about how the Bible studies helped her through the time of her grandmother’s passing and have continued to be a time during the week that she looks forward to.
“Turning your perspective towards those around you is super important and it strengthens everybody … Each girl is so much more than a player,” Korth said.
Korth is a right-handed pitcher from Bluffdale. She started school at Weber State but entered the transfer portal after receiving a blessing from her brother.
“As soon as I was in [the portal] coach Eakin called me up and told me about how they missed me the first time around and they didn’t want to do it again,” she said.
“Kaysen came to us as a player and person that was unwavering as a disciple of Christ. She has never wavered,” Eakin said.
Korth talked about the pressures of being a DI pitcher along with the balance of a spiritual lifestyle.
“I don’t know how some people get through the stresses of pitching to some hitters that are hitting .500 with 20 home runs without having a belief in a God,” Korth said.
During her career as a Cougar, Korth has pitched in over 329 innings through 75 plus games and has recorded over 35 wins.
“Hailey, Kaysen, Maddie and Lily all have Christ-like qualities that can be seen and felt. Each has positively affected more teammates than they know including this old coach,” Eakin said. “They make me want to be and do better. They make me want to serve others.”
BYU gives softball players a unique chance to merge their religious beliefs with their special abilities on the field which allows them to glorify God with the two things they love most — faith in Jesus Christ and the game of softball.