spens

“I need Christ not something that resembles Him.” - C.S. Lewis \\ Charlotte FCA

[Melissa the Hopeful🏠Homemaker @BiblicalBeauty]

Steven Bartlett, host of the podcast, The Diary of a CEO, released an interview with Christian apologist, John Lennox, this week, and his closing comments to him were fascinating:

"One of the most compelling arguments for God that you've presented (and your way of seeing the world and being) is not actually necessarily anything you've written in your books or not not necessarily anything you've said. It is actually you.

You have a certain peace and contentment that I rarely see in people that I interview, but I often see, and I've almost always seen, in the Christians that I've interviewed, and this is a interesting phenomenon for me...it seems to be a trend that a lot of the Christian apologists that I've interviewed have that anchoring that so many of us are looking for."

What a great witness.

Link to interview below

[ESPN Insights @ESPNInsights]

82 YEARS!

Carolina became the first team since the 1944 Canadiens to win a Stanley Cup Final game after trailing by multiple goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation 😳

[Jordan Moore @iJordanMoore]

I know some have said this but I truly do think softball is the best women’s sport to watch.

You get all the strategy and tension of baseball, but in a faster-paced game. The drama is there, crowd energy is there, and every pitch matters. It’s really a great product.

[Charlotte 49ers @Charlotte49ers]

Building something special ⛏️🏈

[Charlotte Softball @CharlotteSB]

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐑𝐀𝐊𝐄 🚀😤

During the 2026 we hit 61 homers which ranks THIRD in program history!

Brought to you by Ballantyne Jewelers, @49eralumni-owned, and the Official Jeweler of the Charlotte 49ers.

[Megan Rembielak @MegRemSoftball]

I know this may not be a big deal to some but I noticed it immediately. The eye contact.

One thing that was instilled in me at a young age was the importance of making eye contact when someone is speaking to you. It’s a simple habit, but it says a lot. It shows respect. It shows that you’re present and paying attention.

That’s why it’s something I emphasize at every clinic I run. When I’m teaching, I expect athletes to look me in the eye. Not because I’m trying to be super strict, but because learning how to communicate, listen, and show respect will take them much further than anything I can teach them about fielding a ground ball or swinging a bat.

While I don’t know Coach Murphy or Jocelyn Briski, the fact that this is something she naturally does tells me a lot about her character and the program that helps shape her.

Softball is about so much more than softball.

[John A. Monaco @johnamonaco]

Growing up in Connecticut, I always assumed the majority of Americans had Italian-Irish ancestry.

Pizza places on every block, Irish pubs, kids in your graduating class named Ryan Mancino/Maria Murphy, everyone is Catholic.

Once I left New England, I realized how unique it was.

[ESPN @espn]

TENNESSEE WALKS IT OFF IN THE 9TH‼️

Emma Clarke drills the first Tennessee walk-off HR in the WCWS in 21 years 🔥

[Charlotte Softball @CharlotteSB]

𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐁𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐇 🤩

Congrats to Aubrey, Liv, Audrey, London, and Teagan for being named Academic All-District for outstanding performances both on the field and in the classroom!

[UNC Charlotte Alumni 🤙 @49erAlumni]

ICYMI: You can now get your customized UNC Charlotte license plate through the NC DMV! 🚗 ➡️ https://t.co/HN0cZu131F

What you need to know:

⛏️ A portion of your fee supports student scholarships.
📍Available in NC only
🛞 The ‘Q’ on the plate is permanent and the standard

[Ely Sussman @RealEly]

Well that escalated quickly

[Kyle Davis @TheDaringPastry]

This is the type of nightmare scenario that goes through my head each time OU gets caught leaving the bases early during the year.

Florida State was playing UCF today & had a 3-RBI triple on 2 outs. UCF player pointed it out, it got challenged & nullified it all.

They lost 4-2

[Jake “JBOY” Crain @JakeCrain_]

College softball is the best women’s sport and it’s not close

[Maya Johnson @MayaJohnson_SJA]

To my mid major girls considering the portal… please look around + ask yourself if your support circle is strong. If the answer is yes you might be right where you belong… nothing compares to the love your coaches + teammates can offer you! As someone who stayed…it’s worth it!

[The American @American_Conf]

The American Softball Championship All-Tournament Team 🥎 🏆

#BuiltToRise x #AmericanSB

[ESPN @espn]

MEGAN GRANT‼️

In just 55 games, she broke Laura Espinoza's softball record set in 1995 😮

[Charlotte Softball @CharlotteSB]

𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 🎓

Congrats to all of our spring 2026 graduates!

[Coach Tina @CoachTinaSB]

The Chop Slap! 🔥

Just saw it live in the Ole Miss vs Tennessee SEC Tournament game two days ago (May 6, 2026). 13-seed Ole Miss pulls off a huge 4-1 upset over No. 5 Tennessee… and this chop slap was a big part of the chaos that kept the Rebels alive.

Slappers create absolute chaos in the infield, and the chop slap (bounce slap) is one of the most disruptive weapons in the toolbox. It’s an aggressive downward attack that drives the ball right in front of the plate — producing a sharp, high, or erratic bounce that eats up time while you’re already gone.

Teaching the Chop Slap:
A mix of these cues works best depending on the athlete:
➡️Swinging down / chopping: Hands start high and stay inside with a steep downward bat path.
➡️Hitting the top of the ball: Skim or hammer the upper inside half deep in the zone for max downward force.
➡️Rolling the hands at contact: Adds control + topspin (or kills the bounce slightly). Many slappers combine this with the chop.

Why use it?
➡️Creates unpredictable high bounces right in front of the plate — nightmare to field cleanly.
➡️Forces infielders to make awkward, off-balance plays.
➡️Slows the entire defense down while your speed is already in high gear.

Best Situations:
➡️Infield playing back at normal depth
➡️Corners crashing for the bunt (punish them!)
➡️Runners on base (safe advancement + pressure)
➡️Pressure at-bats when you just need a baserunner

Environment Matters!!!
This slap thrives on hard fields and turf — the ball stays lively and bounces true. On soft, wet, or slow dirt? It dies. Shift to a hard slap or power slap instead. Always read the field.

When a slapper has the chop dialed in (just like we saw in that Ole Miss upset), the defense never gets comfortable. They stay guessing, on their toes, and out of position.

Chaos created. 🔥

[The American @American_Conf]

THE QUARTERFINALS ARE SET 🥎 🏆

#BuiltToRise x #AmericanSB

[Charlotte Softball @CharlotteSB]

Spot the difference 👀