OLLU softball standouts Cassandra Valdez and Madison Nunn have earned All-America recognition from multiple selectors. 

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) recognized Valdez and Nunn as First-Team NAIA All-Americans. The NAIA announced Valdez as a First-Team All-American, as selected by the NAIA Softball Coaches Association Committee, while granting Nunn Honorable Mention honors.

This is the first time OLLU softball student-athletes have earned First-Team All-American honors. In 2016, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association named Taylor Doege a Second-Team All-American.

In 2014, Katrisha Arocha was named to the NAIA Honorable Mention All-America Team.  

Nunn, an outfielder, and Valdez, the Saints starting pitcher and third baseman, represent Region II of the NFCA for the NAIA. The two were earlier named to the NFCA-NAIA All-Region First Team.

Nunn played in her final year for the Saints. In the season, she recorded 137 at-bats, had 43 runs, 52 hits, 11 doubles, a leading five triples, 11 homer runs, a leading 47 RBIs, 16 walks, a leading 17 stolen bases, a leading .380 batting average, on-base percentage of .449 and a .774 slugging percentage. Nunn marked a 1.000 fielding percentage. She received All-Conference First-Team honors and was part of the All-Tournament Team. Earlier this year, she received NAIA Softball Player of the Week honors. In addition, Nunn was selected OLLU’s Big Blue Top Saint Female Athlete of the Year.

Valdez played two years for the Saints. In the season, she led the team in at-bats with 156, runs with 46, hits with 58, triples with five, home runs with 14, RBIs with 47, walks with 24, stole bases with 17, on-base percentage with .454 and slugging percentage with .782. In the circle, she was 28-5 and had three saves in 211.2 innings pitched with 274 strikeouts for an ERA of 1.72. She was named All-Conference First Team and received Pitcher and Player of the Year honors. She was also selected Tournament MVP. In addition, she was named an NAIA Scholar-Athlete.