Winn Ratliff was hoping for a better week inside the rodeo arena.

Instead, his second love provided a little more success.

Ratliff helped lead the Southern Region to a championship in the inaugural College National Finals Rodeo softball tournament on Wednesday at Crossroads Park.

"This was a blast -- it's kinda like the College World Series," Ratliff said with a smile. "I hope next year they get this together like this. It just gives you a way to relax and get things off your mind."

The event was organized by pastor Corey Ross, who leads the CNFR's nightly cowboy church services.

The members of the champion Southern Region team decided to donate their $500 prize back to him to show appreciation for his efforts.

"It was his idea from the beginning, and it was a big success," said Dr. Al Wagner, rodeo coach at Texas A&M and Southern Region faculty director. "These kids are under a lot of pressure at the big show here, and this allows them to just forget about all that and come have some good, clean fun."

And Ratliff looked right at home, making a running catch in left field and then sparking an early rally with a first-inning home run.

The McNeese State cowboy -- who participates in bareback and bull riding -- played baseball growing up and in high school and now coaches his younger brothers' teams back home in Leesville, La.

"I guess my high school baseball days came out today," Ratliff said. "I try to play on the side at home if we can get a pickup game, but what I mainly do now is help my brothers.

"I decided I'm going to be a high school baseball coach."

Some of Ratliff's fondest childhood memories came on the baseball field.

It was a place where he could put his competitive energy to use and also escape some of his troubles on the home front.

He remembers working for his coach to pay for his uniforms, borrowing equipment and walking a few miles home to practice.

"I'm majoring in education because I want to teach and help kids out and coach them in the game of life," Ratliff said. "It's not just about winning [on the field], but how to win through life and different situations."

In recognition of what Ratliff has overcome and his future plans to teach when his rodeo career is over, he will receive this year's Shane Drury scholarship, a $2,500 award which honors Drury, a two-time CNFR qualifier and a National Finals Rodeo qualifier who lost a battle with cancer in 2006.

"The Shane Drury scholarship is a blessing," Ratliff said. "That's a prestigious award and I've very honored and blessed to have it."

Ratliff will need a strong bull ride tonight to have a chance to make Saturday's championship short go-round.

Either way, he's heading home a winner.

Contact sports reporter Eric Schmoldt at (307) 266-0578 or eric.schmoldt@trib.com.