Sports – Page 16 – Lake Weekly

No. 10 Softball Takes Three of Four in Pivotal RRAC Matchups

The No. 10 ranked Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) softball team welcomed two top-25 programs to San Antonio this weekend in No. 6 LSU Aleandria and Texas A&M Texarkana who is tied for 23rd in the latest NAIA Coaches’ Poll. The Saints came away with three wins on the weekend, dropping a game to LSUA on Friday.

The Saints move to 39-7 overall and 25-1 in Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) action. The loss to LSUA was the first regular season RRAC loss for the Saints since the 2022 season.

In the opener against the Generals, the Saints’ starting pitcher Ava Hernandez was as impressive as she has been all season. The sophomore held a dangerous lineup to just two hits while striking out eight.

The bottom of the second inning presented a scoring opportunity for the Saints as Caitlin Terrazas reached on a one-out single. Hernandez reached on an error and the bases became loaded with Saints after Kristee Salas singled. The LSUA defense escaped the jam, holding OLLU scoreless in the inning.

The Generals threatened in the top of the fourth inning, putting two runners on base but Hernandez left them there and sent the game to the bottom half of the fourth, still tied 0-0. Just as Terrazas did in the second, she led the inning off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Hernandez. Ayanna Trejo came onto run for Terrazas and eventually stole third. Kayla Rogers came to the plate and delivered the games first run with a single through the left side to score Trejo.

Salas added another run to the Saints tally in the sixth with her eighth homerun of the season.

Hernandez retired the Generals in order in the seventh, giving them their first RRAC loss of the season.

Terrazas and Salas each finished the game with two hits.

The Saints offense came out swinging in the bottom of the first of game two, taking an early 3-0 lead on RBI singles from Grace Ross and Alyssa Flores. Hernandez added the Saints’ final run of the inning when she grounded out to third, scoring Ross.

A two-run homerun by the Generals in the second inning made it a one-run game. LSUA blew things open in the third, plating five runs on four hits to take a 7-3 advantage over the Saints. The fifth inning saw the Generals add three more runs to the scoreboard via a three-run blast, making it 10-3.

OLLU added one in the sixth inning to make it 10-4 but that is as close as they would get to the Generals.

On Saturday, the Saints looked to bounce back against the Texas A&M Texarkana Eagles, another top-25 RRAC opponent.

Hernandez was back in the circle for the Saints and she made her presence felt immediately, striking out two of the first three batters she faced to open the game. The Alice, Texas native helped her own cause in the bottom of the first as she ripped a double off the centerfield wall to score Yezenia Perez and Lilly Rocha.

In the top of the second, Hernandez added three strikeouts to make it five over two innings of work.

Ross singled in the third and gave way to pinch runner, Emilia Salinas. After Salinas stole second, Terrazas plated her with a double to centerfield to extend the OLLU lead to 3-0.

The Eagles added two runs in the fourth to make it a one run game.

Lesia Escamilla led off the Saints’ half of the fourth with a single to left field. Trejo came on to pinch run and moved herself into scoring position with a stolen base. After a sacrifice bunt from Salas, a sacrifice from Rogers scored Trejo to give the Saints a 4-2 lead.

Rocha launched her ninth homerun of the season, a two-run shot, giving OLLU a 6-2 advantage over the Eagles. Later in the inning, Ross plated Rogers to extend the lead to 7-2.

Hernandez ended the game just as she began it, striking out two of three batters in the inning to slam the door on the Eagles.

In the Saints’ final game of the weekend, Annika Litterio struck out six of the first seven batters she faced. It wasn’t until the fourth frame that the Eagles would get to Litterio. A two-out RBI double from TAMUT broke the scoreless tie, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead.

Flores reached in the bottom of the fourth with a leadoff single down the right field line. Reanna Aguirre came on to run for Flores and moved up on a single by Escamilla. Salas reached on a fielders choice to put runners at first and third. Salas later stole second, putting runners at second and third with Rogers coming to the plate. Rogers delivered once again when the Saints needed it most, roping a double into centerfield to score Salas and Aguirre to put OLLU on top.

With two outs in the sixth, Rocha drew a walk, giving Caitlin Casas an opportunity to add to the OLLU lead. Casas answered the call with a double to right field, scoring Rocha from first base to add an insurance run for the Saints.

Hernandez, who came on for Litterio in the sixth, earned her first save of the season as sat the Eagles down in order to end the game. Litterio finished with 12 strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work.

OLLU will close out the regular season on Saturday, April 19 as they host Texas A&M San Antonio at the OLLU Softball Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.

For the latest news, updates, and information on the OLLU Saints, fans can visit ollusaintsathletics.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Saints news by following @ollusaintsathletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Lenington Becomes Programs Winningest Head Coach as Saints Sweep Houston-Victoria

The No. 10 Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) softball team picked up their fifth consecutive sweep to extend their winning streak to 10 games. The Saints run-ruled Houston-Victoria today with scored of 13-0 and 10-2. The sweep improves the Saints’ record to 36-6 and 22-0 in Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) action. With the 13-0 win in game one, head coach Bruce Lenington earned win No. 226, making him the all-time winningest head coach in program history. Lenington holds an overall record of 226-62 at OLLU with a 112-11 mark in RRAC play.

In game one of the doubleheader, the Saints jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after Caitlin Terrazas roped a three-RBI double to centerfield in the bottom of the first. Grace Ross launched her eighth homerun of the season in the bottom of the second, a three-run shot to extend the OLLU lead to 6-0. Alyssa Flores went back-to-back in the inning with a solo shot, to make it 7-0 in favor of the Saints. With the bases empty, Terrezas was hit by a pitch and lifted for pinch runner, Brianna Ramirez. Ava Hernandez doubled to score Ramirez, making it 8-0 after two innings.

The Saints added three runs in the third on consecutive sacrifice flys from Lilly Rocha and Yezenia Perez. Flores drove in another run, plating Ross to make it 11-0 OLLU. Lexie Escamilla recorded an RBI in the fourth, scoring Kristee Salas who led the inning off with a single to centerfield. An error from the Houston-Victoria defense allowed the Saints to score their 13th run of the game.

After an error to lead off the top of the fifth inning, Hernandez slammed the door, striking out the side. Hernandez earned the win, allowing just two hits.

Ross and Terrazas each finished the game with three RBI. Flores had three hits in the game, extending her hitting streak to 16 games.

In the second game of the series, the OLLU offense scored in five of the six innings played, but it was the Jaguars the struck first with a solo homerun in the top of the first inning to take the early 1-0 lead.

Hernandez put OLLU ahead in the bottom of the first with her third homerun of the season, driving in Flores and Rocha to give the Saints a 3-1 lead.

Houston-Victoria closed the gap in the second inning with their second solo homerun of the game, making it 3-2.

Ross hit her ninth homerun of the year in the home half of the second inning to extend the OLLU lead to 5-2. After back-to-back singles from Salas and Escamilla, Kayla Rogers grounded out, scoring Salas to make it 6-2. With runners on first and third, Rocha swiped second, allowing Escamilla to score the Saints seventh run of the game.

Starting pitcher, Annika Litterio settled in after the two solo home runs, but gave way to reliever Valeria Vielma in the fourth. With two runner aboard, Vielma induced a fly out to centerfield to end the Jaguars threat.

After Vielma retired Houston-Victoria in order in the fifth, the Saints added another run via a sacrifice fly from Alyssa Garcia, making the score 8-2.

Caitlin Casas led off the sixth with a single to centerfield and came around to score after a double from Ross off the left field wall. With the bases loaded, Rogers singled to centerfield to score Hernandez ending the game via the eight-run rule.

Ross and Hernandez each drove in three runs in the win. Litterio earned the win in the circle, tossing 3.2 innings, allowing just two runs on two hits.

The Saints will return to the diamond on Friday as they welcome No. 6 LSU Alexandria. The doubleheader will begin at 12:00 p.m.

Litterio Tosses No-Hitter as Saints Dominate Midweek Matchups

The Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) softball team remians perfect in Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) action as the Saints earned sweeps over Texas College and Jarvis Christian University this week. The Saints overall record improved to 32-6 and 18-0 in conference. OLLU posted four shutouts in the sweeps of the Steer and Bulldogs.

In an 8-0 win over Texas College in game one, Ava Hernandez and Alyssa Garvia each went 3-for-3 at the plate. Five other Saints registered two hits in the five-inning contest. Garcia and Kayla Rogers each drive in two runs while four other Saints knocked in a run including a solo homerun from Alyssa Flores.

Hernandez picked up the win in the opener, tossing a complete game, allowing just two hits and striking out nine batters.

The Saints tied their season-high with 18 hits in the contest.

Game two against the Steer ended in a 17-0 result, the second-highest run total for the Saints this season.

Tania Rodriguez had a career day at the plate, going 4-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Lilly Rocha launched her team-leading eighth homerun in the win. Yezenia Perez also had a homerun in the game, her third of the saeson. Perez finished 2-for-2 at the dish with a run scored.

Hernandez had a two-RBI double while Kristee Salas, Caitlin Casas, and Emilia Salinas each recorded two hits.

Valeria Vielma earned the win in the circle, tossing three innings, allowing no hits and striking out five.

On Wednesday against Jarvis Christian, the OLLU bats quited a bit, but the Saints got outstanding pitching performances from Annika Litterio and Hernandez.

In the opener against the Bulldogs, Litterio was dominant as she tossed her third no-hitter of the season. Litterio struck out a season-high 16 batters in the win.

Flores and Hernandez were responsible for the Saints’ three runs as Flores drove in two and Hernandez one.

Four Saints recorded a multi-hit game.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Hernandez tossed her second complete game in as many days, allowing just three hits and striking out four.

OLLU scattered seven hits while scoring four runs against the Bulldogs. Grace Ross finished with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate while Lexie Escamilla recorded two RBI.

The Saints will return to the diamond on Sunday, April 6 as they travel to Hobbs, New Mexico to take on the University of the Southwest. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CT.

Litterio Tosses No-Hitter as Saints Dominate Midweek Matchups

Hernandez picked up the win in the opener, tossing a complete game, allowing just two hits and striking out nine batters.

The Saints tied their season-high with 18 hits in the contest.

Game two against the Steer ended in a 17-0 result, the second-highest run total for the Saints this season.

Hernandez had a two-RBI double while Kristee Salas, Caitlin Casas, and Emilia Salinas each recorded two hits.

Valeria Vielma earned the win in the circle, tossing three innings, allowing no hits and striking out five.

On Wednesday against Jarvis Christian, the OLLU bats quited a bit, but the Saints got outstanding pitching performances from Annika Litterio and Hernandez.

In the opener against the Bulldogs, Litterio was dominant as she tossed her third no-hitter of the season. Litterio struck out a season-high 16 batters in the win.

Flores and Hernandez were responsible for the Saints’ three runs as Flores drove in two and Hernandez one.

Four Saints recorded a multi-hit game.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Hernandez tossed her second complete game in as many days, allowing just three hits and striking out four.

OLLU scattered seven hits while scoring four runs against the Bulldogs. Grace Ross finished with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate while Lexie Escamilla recorded two RBI.

The Saints will return to the diamond on Sunday, April 6 as they travel to Hobbs, New Mexico to take on the University of the Southwest. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CT.

Outdoor Track Has Strong Start to Season

The Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams are off to an impressive start to their 2025 season. The teams most recently competed at the UTSA Invitational, The Bobcat Invitational, and the Texas Relays.

“Our men’s and women’s teams have had a strong start to the outdoor season,” said head coach Brett Charlton. “This has been some of the fastest times we have ran this early in an outdoor season. Right now, we are continuing to focus on getting better each week. We are eager to see if the early season momentum we have created will help carry us through the back half of our season.”

The OLLU men’s team is currently ranked 13th nationally and #3 in the South Central Region.

“This is the most personal best and National standard marks we have ever had this early in the season,” continued Charlton. “To continue our success, we must get better each week and ensure our student-athletes are staying healthy.”

Jalen Bell has hit four National standards in just two outdoor meets. Bell ranks in the top-10 nationally with all four of those marks. At the UTSA invitational, Bell ran 10.42 in the 100m and 21.17 in the 200m, both National B-standards. At the Texas State Bobcat Invitational, Bell was apart of the 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams who both hit National A-standards with time of 40.81, and 3:15.07, respectfully. The 4x100m relay team consists of Spencer Williams, Jesus Riefkohl-Delgado, Malik White, and Bell ran the fourth fastest time in the NAIA. The 4x400m relay team of Richard Davis, Julian Verastegui, Yvann Agag, and Bell currently rank 6th in the NAIA with their mark at the Bobcat Invitational.

White also impressed in the 100m hurdles at the Bobcat Invitational, setting a new school record with a time of 14.42. His time currently ranks him #5 in the NAIA and was good enough for a National B-standard.

Verastegui his a National B-standard in the 400m at Texas State with a time of 47.77 which his second-best in school history and 9th best in the NAIA.

On the distance side, Damon Gutierrez set the school reocrd in the 10,000m run with a time of 31:27.95, good enough for an 8th place finish at the Texas Relays and the 10th-fastest time in the NAIA.

The OLLU women’s team is currently ranked #10 in the South Central Region.

In their opening meet of the season at UTSA, Lawren Tanner picked up where she left off in indoor season, breaking the school record in the long jump with mark of 5.85m, the third-best jump in the NAIA and a mark good enough for a National B-standard. Larrisa McHenry ran a personal best in the 200m with a time of 25.22, while also running the 100m in 12.09, the 24th best time in the NAIA. Aziza Clark just missed hitting a national standard in the 400m hurdles, running a time of 1:04.12, the 11th fastest time in the NAIA.

At the Bobcat Invitational, the women’s 4x400m relay team of Alexandria Segura, Tara Madrid, Autumn Roberts, and Aziza Clark ran the 8th fastest time in the NAIA with a time of 3:56.29.

The Saints will return to action on April 18 as they compete in the Michael Johnson Invite at Baylor University.

Dance Makes History at NAIA Championships

The Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) Competitive Dance team made history this weekend as they competed in the programs first-ever National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championships.

The Saints became the first team from the state of Texas to earn a bid to the Championships. “We have had the honor of representing not only Our Lady of the Lake University and the city of San Antonio, but also the great state of Texas,” said head coach Crystal Brock. As the first dance team from Texas to compete in the NAIA Championships, we have created so many unforgettable memories.”

The Saints qualified for the National Championships by earning a first-place finish at the NAIA Dance Qualifier hosted by Loyola New Orleans earlier this month. The Saints turned in scores of 71.5 and 71.9 at the qualifier to punch their ticket to Ypsilanti.

In a very competitive and experienced field, the Saints earned an 11th place finish. Head Spirit Coach, Crystal Brock had this to say about her team. “Our dancers performed exceptionally well, executing a highly technical routine that showcased jazz, pom, and hip-hop elements. There were many standout moments throughout the week, both as a team and individually, but at the end of the day, every dancer stepped up and delivered each time we took the floor.”

During day one of competition, the Saints earned a score of 68.67 for their routine and improved in the final round of competition with a score of 69.23, bringing their final score to 69.09.

“Overall, there is so much to celebrate as we close our our season ranked 11th in the country for NAIA Dance,” continued Brock. “We always talk about “living the legacy” and leaving our mark each season, and this team has undoubtedly done just that. Their impact will be remembered – they are not part of OLLU Dance history as true legends.”

Four-year dance team member and captain Madison Smith was chosen as the teams’ NAIA Champion of Character. Brock had this to say about Smith, “Madison has grown tremendously as an athlete during her time at OLLU, but more importantly, she has taken on the role of mentor, role model, and leader for bother her teammates and future generations of dancers. As she prepares to graduate this May, we look forward to celebrating all she has accomplished.”

For a list of complete results click HERE

Softball Remains Perfect in RRAC with Sweep of XULA

The Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) softball team remained unbeaten in Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) action as they swept Xavier University of Louisiana on Friday afternoon.

The Basics

Game 1: OLLU 5, Xavier 1
Game 2: OLLU 6, Xavier 2
Records: OLLU (23-5, 10-0) Xavier (7-7, 3-5)
Location: Reserve, Louisiana (Regala Park)

Game 1 Highlights

Ava Hernandez went the distance in the circle with her ninth complete game. Hernandez allowed just one run on three hits while striking out seven.
Grace Ross and Caitlin Terrazas each finished with two hits.
Yezenia Perez drove in two runs and recorded her second triple of the season.
Hernandez retired nine straight batters from the third inning to the fifth.

Game 2 Highlights

Ross and Terrazas each recorded two hits.
Annika Litterio earned her 10th win of the season, tossing her fifth complete game of the season. The righty scattered five hits and struck out seven XULA batters.
Kayla Rogers drove in two runs.
The Saints had four stolen bases: Rogers (2), Ayanna Trejo, and Emilia Salinas.
OLLU batters did not strike out in the 6-2 victory.
The Saints scored in each of the first five innings, recording two runs in the second.

Up Next
The Saints will take on Louisiana Christian tomorrow in Pineville, Louisiana. The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

Ekpenyong Earns No. 1 Ranking in ITA Singles

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released the NAIA Men’s Team, Singles, and Doubles Rankings for March 13, 2025. The Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) Saints are well-represented in the rankings.

As a team, the Saints have won 12 straight matches, earning them a No. 3 ranking from ITA. Overall, OLLU holds a 12-1 record on the season. The No. 3 ranking comes just days after the NAIA released its coaches’ poll, which has the Saints ranked No. 7. Both rankings are the highest in program history.

In the individual ITA rankings, sophomore David Ekpenyong became the No. 1 singles player in the country this week. Ekpenyong has posted an 8-1 record this spring, including eight straight victories after losing his first match of the spring season. On the season, the Nigeria native has earned 20 victories in singles action.

Other Saints in the rankings include Kylian Savary at No. 25 and Aymeric Bruno at No. 52.

For a list of the full rankings click HERE.

For the latest news, updates, and information on the OLLU Saints, fans can visit ollusaintsathletics.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Saints news by following on social.

Dance Earns Bid to NAIA Championship

The Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) competitive dance team took part in the NAIA Dance Qualifier hosted by Loyola University New Orleans. The Saints were one of four teams at the qualifier that featured semifinal and final rounds.

In the semifinal round, the Saints earned a score of 71.5, putting them in the top spot heading into the finals.

Semifinals

OLLU – 71.5

Hope International – 67.3

Ave Maria – 66.8

Loyola – 62.7

In the finals, OLLU outdid their semifinal performance with a score of 71.9 to win the competition and earn an automatic bid to the 2025 NAIA Cheer and Dance Championships.

Finals

OLLU – 71.9

Hope International 67.7

Loyola – 67.5

Ave Maria – 66.8

The NAIA Cheer and Dance Championships will take place in Ypsilanti, Michigan on March 28 and 29.

Saints Outlast D2 No. 15 St. Edward’s

The Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) baseball team won a wild one this afternoon as they took on NCAA Division II foe, St. Edward’s University (SEU). The Hilltoppers, who are ranked No. 15 in the latest American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) poll, plated nine runs in the final two innings but the Saints threw up a seven-spot in the top of the seventh inning to secure the victory.

Gavin Machado led off the second inning with a single up the middle and Brandon Betancourt followed by reaching on an error by the Hilltoppers pitchers that allowed Machado to score and even things at one. Jimmy Valle put OLLU in front, 2-1 with an RBI single that scored Betancourt.

SEU answered with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the second inning to regain the lead.

Back-to-back singles from Joshua Milton and Jack Kalisky got things going in the Saints’ half of the third and a Carlos Gusman walk loaded the bases with Machado coming to the plate. Machado lifted a ball to the outfield for a sacrifice fly, scoring Milton. Betancourt picked up his second RBI of the game to give OLLU the slim 4-3 edge.

Three runs over the next two innings would give SEU the lead once again at 6-4.

Drew Saucedo and Alex Rodriguez each drove in runs and an SEU error plated two more runs for the Saints, allowing them to take the 8-6 lead over the Hilltoppers.

The Saints scored two more in the sixth, highlighted by a Jack Kalisky homerun, which would be his first of the game. Valle also drove in his second run of the game in the inning. In the home half of the inning, SEU added a run to cut the OLLU lead to 10-7.

SEU hit two homeruns in the seventh inning as part of a five-run burst giving them the 12-10 lead.

In the eighth inning, the Saints answered with seven runs of their own including another solo homerun by Kalisky. A double later in the frame, would give Kalisky his second and third RBI of the inning. Rodriguez and Isaac Davila each earned RBI in the inning after getting hit by pitches with the bases loaded. After 7.5 innings, the Saints held a 17-12 lead.

The Hilltoppers did not go away quietly as a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning made it a one-run game heading to the ninth.

Back-to-back walks for the Hilltoppers put the go-ahead run aboard in the bottom of the ninth. OLLU pitcher Noah De La Riva got his first out of the inning on a pick-off to second base and later induced a fly out. De La Riva gave way to Domenic Martinez who faced just one batter and closed the door on the SEU comeback attempt.

De La Riva earned the win, tossing 2.2 innings and Martinez picked up the save.

Kalisky finished the game 5-for-6 at the plate with four RBI and three runs scored. Benjamyn Hovda recorded three RBI while Machado and Gusman each drove in two.

The Saints will return to action this weekend as they welcome John Melvin to Missions Baseball Academy for a three-game series. First pitch of the series is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening.