Ambassadors - Professional & Collegiate
Grace Lyons
Grace is a shortstop for the University of Oklahoma softball team and a member of the USA Softball Women’s National Team. She grew up playing tee-ball in Arizona when she was four years old. She loved the sport and continued to play baseball during her family's Air Force moves to Ohio, Virginia and then back to Arizona. She had excellent coaches at all levels who focused more on fundamentals over wins and losses. She also really liked the competitive atmosphere of the baseball world and enjoyed becoming a student of the game.
Grace had the idea of starting a conference hoping to unite college softball players. This became a place for them to come together, learn about God and study His word. This also encouraged them to challenge each other to go back to their teams and have an influence. The conference includes guest speakers, community service projects and worship.
Grace explained why she chose to partner with Resilient SFBL: "I am super excited to partner with Resilient SFBL! I have a passion for defense and even more of a passion for my faith in the Lord. Resilient allowed me to unite both of these passions into my line of gloves. I am looking forward to this partnership and helping female athletes everywhere!”
Chelsea Alexander
Chelsea was a left-fielder for the Oklahoma State University Cowgirls softball team. Recently, she signed on to pay for Oklahoma City Spark, a new professional softball team that will begin its inaugural season in June 2023; the team is set to play at the USA Hall of Fame Stadium.
Originally from Latta, OK, she has played softball since she was three years old, and she loves the way softball teaches players through challenges that apply to everyday life. Though she has learned a lot through softball, Chelsea tries to remind herself that she's playing a game at the end of the day.
Chelsea would want to remind her younger self to be confident and know she is worthy. She is proud of the woman she has become, on and off the field. Chelsea is looking forward to working with Resilient SFBL because she is passionate about growing softball and empowering women.
Chelsea credits her younger brother as one of her biggest inspirations and is inspired by the positivity he brings to those around him.
MaKayla Jackson
MaKayla is a University of Tulsa graduate and a current graduate assistant at Rogers State University. After playing four years at Tulsa, MaKayla is now a redshirt junior, where she will play third base, first base and right field. Originally from Oklahoma City, MaKayla began playing softball when she was four years old.
MaKayla loves softball for many reasons and it has taught her many life lessons. She enjoys competing daily, meeting new people and building relationships through softball. She also enjoys competing with her closest friends, which makes the early mornings and long practices worth it.
If she could give her younger self any advice, MaKayla would encourage herself to enjoy the moments while they’re there because no day is promised. She also says to remember that when you step on the field, you have nothing to prove to anyone and everything to gain when you play your game and let it be fun.
To stay on top of her game, MaKayla says practicing and having an outlet is helpful. She also suggests doing something outside of softball sometimes. She says the more she practices, the more comfortable and confident she is, but she’s also learned to take some time to prioritize her mental and physical health.
MaKayla is most proud of graduating from Tulsa with her bachelor's degree and a minor. She is excited to be a part of ResilientSFBL because it’s a brand specifically for softball players. She likes that Resilient is trying to improve support for softball players, and that it prioritizes women’s sports. MaKayla is glad to know there’s a group of individuals focusing specifically on women in softball, and she likes that “resilience” has a deeper meaning than the realm of softball.
The young girls MaKayla gives softball lessons to inspire her every day by showing up and working hard to improve. They remind her that, at the end of the day, softball is just a game. She said she got where she is today by starting out as one of those girls, and now she wants to be the best role model on and off the field for them. She hopes to encourage the girls to know that with hard work and dedication, they can get to where MaKayla is now.
Brighton Gilbert
Brighton Gilbert is a recent graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma, where she played shortstop and anchored the UCO infield. She is a true hit-stopper on the field, owning great quickness and a strong arm. She is also a great left-handed slap hitter that was a prime offensive treat for the Bronchos.
Brighton led her Chickasha high school softball team to two state titles and finished with a phenomenal .544 career batting average. Brighton is extremely active in the softball community and provides lessons to young softball players who want to learn and develop their skills. She also coaches a competitive youth travel ball team with the Oklahoma Exclusive organization. Brighton is an amazing mentor to the younger players and loves spending time with them.
Sarah Willis
Sarah is a junior pitcher and outfielder for the University of Central Florida Knights. She is currently majoring in pre-journalism with a minor in education.
Sarah is a junior pitcher and outfielder for the University of Central Florida Knights and is currently majoring in pre-journalism with a minor in education. Originally from Ontario, California, Sarah was a high school All-American and Press Enterprise’s Pitcher of the Year. She started her collegiate softball career with the University of Washington Huskies, where she was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team in 2021.
Sarah’s parents have encouraged her to be the best version of herself and prosper and succeed every day. She says her parents are her lifeline, and would not be who she is now without them.
Sarah is proud to be an advocate and hero for other young women of color in a national sport. According to Sarah, “No matter what challenges you face, just remember your self-worth.”