Category: Sports

Saints Softball Climbs to No. 9 in NAIA Coaches Poll

The Our Lady of the Lake Saints softball team has earned national recognition in the latest NAIA Softball Coaches Top 25 Poll, continuing a strong start to the 2026 season. The Saints checked in at No. 9 in the first regular-season poll, receiving one first-place vote after compiling an impressive 14-1 record.

The poll, released by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, is led by Southern Oregon, which maintained the top position with 11 first-place votes and a 16-6 record. Eastern Oregon moved up to No. 2 with one first-place vote, while Oklahoma City sits at No. 3 after collecting three first-place selections. Oregon Tech climbed to No. 4 with two first-place votes, and Science and Arts of Oklahoma rounds out the top five.

Our Lady of the Lake’s rise to ninth place marks a notable jump from its previous ranking of No. 12, reflecting the program’s early-season success and consistency on the field. The Saints lone first-place vote highlights the respect the program has gained nationally as it continues to build momentum against a competitive schedule.

The Saints are one of two programs from Texas ranked in the poll, joining Texas A&M–Texarkana, which sits at No. 23 with a 12-4 record. Their presence in the Top 10 underscores the continued growth and competitiveness of the program within the NAIA landscape.

As the season progresses, Our Lady of the Lake will look to maintain its strong form and continue climbing in the national rankings. With a 14-1 record and early national recognition, the Saints have positioned themselves as one of the top contenders in NAIA softball this season. The Saints will look to add to their resume as they compete in Gulf Shores this weekend against elite NAIA Softball competition. 

Saints Capture Crusaders Cup Title

At Hackberry Creek Country Club in Irving, Texas, the women of Our Lady of the Lake University delivered a composed and commanding performance at the Crusaders Cup, capturing the team title against a deep and competitive field. Over 36 holes, OLLU finished at +111, posting rounds of +40 and +71 to secure first place ahead of eight other institutions. With divisional points displayed throughout the event, the Saints consistently saw their name at the top of the team leaderboard.

Individually, OLLU placed four golfers inside the top 11, reinforcing the depth that carried the Saints to victory. Kendall Ward led the way with a runner-up finish at +23, tying for second overall. After an impressive +3 opening round that put her firmly in contention, she battled through a tougher second day (+20) and still held her position among the tournament’s elite. Her performance matched that of Shay West from Hardin-Simmons, trailing only medalist Kinley Pessel of LeTourneau, who claimed individual honors at +16.

Samantha Garcia added another strong finish for OLLU, tying for sixth at +27 with rounds of +13 and +14. Her steady play across both days delivered crucial strokes in the team race, particularly during pivotal stretches on the back nine. Grayson Weiler secured ninth place at +30, following a balanced +13 first round with a +17 second round to remain inside the top 10. Sophia Young tied for 11th at +33, improving her position through disciplined course management and resilience over 36 holes.

Samantha Ziegler rounded out the Saints’ lineup with a tie for 31st at +49. After a challenging first round, she responded with a significantly improved second-round score, exemplifying the perseverance that defines OLLU’s culture. Every contribution mattered, and her determination helped solidify the overall team margin.

While other teams relied heavily on a single standout, the Saints placed multiple players near the top of the leaderboard, limiting volatility and maximizing scoring opportunities.  With runner-up individual finish, four top-11 placements, and a decisive team victory, the Saints are trending in the right direction as they head to Kerrville on March 1st.

Litterio Repeats As RRAC Pitcher Of The Week

WACO, Texas (Feb. 23, 2026) – Thirteenth-ranked LSU Alexandria’s Haley Fontenot has been named RRAC Softball Player of the Week, while Our Lady of the Lake’s (Texas) Annika Litterio repeats as Pitcher of the Week for the dates of Feb. 16-22. This is the fifth set of weekly awards.

Senior right-handed pitcher Annika Litterio pitched in each of her team’s five wins last week. She tallied 10 innings in the doubleheader 7-2/9-6 victories over NCAA D2 St. Mary’s. She earned a win and a save as she struck out nine against the Rattlers. In the three-game series win over XULA (17-0/2-1/4-3), Litterio earned all three wins. She pitched 13.1 innings, allowing five hits, no unearned runs, and three walks while striking out 21 batters. 

Litterio leads the RRAC with 38.2 innings pitched and 52 strikeouts. 

OLLU, ranked 12th in the nation, has tallied 63.2 innings pitched while striking out 78, posting an ERA of 2.97. The Saints are 10-1 overall and 3-0 in conference. 

Late Shift in Momentum Edges Saints in Tight Contest

Our Lady of the Lake delivered a strong overall performance but ultimately fell 8–7 to Nelson (Texas) in a tightly contested matchup.

Offensively, the Saints produced 12 hits and seven runs, demonstrating depth and power throughout the lineup. Benjamin Hovda went 2-for-4 with a home run, an RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base, setting the tone early. Jacob Cueva contributed a 3-for-4 performance with a home run and two RBIs, while Jack Kalisky turned in an exceptional day at the plate, finishing 4-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs. The Saints’ three home runs and six walks reflected disciplined at-bats and consistent pressure on Nelson’s pitching staff.

Additional contributions came across the lineup. CaliEvan Billela-Barstow reached base twice and scored, Christian Martinez added a hit and a stolen base, and Brett Atkinson chipped in with a hit and a run scored. OLLU consistently created opportunities, though 10 runners left on base proved significant in a one-run game.

On the mound, Ethan Garza provided a solid start, allowing two earned runs over four innings while striking out four. Mason Ruiz and Xavior Salazar combined for three scoreless innings in relief, helping the Saints maintain control through the middle portion of the game. Overall, OLLU pitchers recorded eight strikeouts and limited Nelson to nine hits.

The Saints will be back in action this weekend against Southwest on Friday and Saturday.

Saints Soar Past Eagles

Our Lady of the Lake University delivered an efficient and well-balanced performance in its 84–71 victory over Texas A&M University–Texarkana, showcasing offensive consistency and disciplined execution on both ends of the floor.

The Saints shot 47.3 percent from the field (26-of-55) and were particularly effective from three-point range, connecting on 11-of-27 attempts (40.7 percent). Jaydin Morin-Bishop led the team with 21 points, including three three-pointers, and converted 8-of-9 free throws to anchor the offense. Barack Holland added 19 points with three three-pointers of his own, while contributing five rebounds and two steals.

Jermey Irwin provided 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting, and Isaiah Moore added 12 points and six rebounds. Santiago Ochoa contributed across multiple categories, finishing with six rebounds and a team-high five assists, helping guide an offense that recorded 14 assists on 26 made field goals.

The Saints also received key contributions from their bench. Matthew Gonzalez was efficient from beyond the arc, hitting both of his three-point attempts for six points. Caleb Richardson added four points and four rebounds in limited minutes, while Davonte Durst provided three assists off the bench to maintain offensive flow.

Our Lady of the Lake controlled the game through perimeter shooting, free throw efficiency (21-of-28, 75 percent), and ball security. The Saints committed just 13 turnovers compared to Texarkana’s 15 and generated nine steals defensively.

The Saints will be back in action Saturday against LSU-Shreveport at 3:00 PM CDT. It will be Senior day.

Peña-Cortes Leads OLLU with Impressive Top-10 Finish

Our Lady of the Lake University entered the tournament prepared to compete in a deep and talented field, and the Saints delivered moments that underscored the program’s growth and competitive potential over 54 demanding holes.

Leading the way for OLLU was Victor Peña-Cortes, who finished tied for ninth at 5-over par. Peña-Cortes set the tone early with an impressive 4-under opening round, one of the lowest scores in the field. His ability to attack the course and position himself among the tournament leaders highlighted OLLU’s play. Despite a challenging final round, his top-10 finish demonstrated the ability to contend against some of the region’s strongest programs.

Niall Langley-Brook and Alex Marshall each secured a tie for 13th at 13-over, providing steady contributions throughout the event. Both players showed composure across the first two rounds and remained competitive in a tightly packed leaderboard. Their performances reflect the foundation the team continues to build as the season progresses.

Juan Limon added a 21st-place finish, battling through each round with determination and providing critical experience in a competitive divisional setting. Fernando Limon rounded out the Saints efforts, continuing to gain valuable tournament reps that will contribute to the team’s development moving forward.

While the final standings reflect the challenges of a three-round tournament, OLLU’s performance revealed significant positives. The Saints proved they can produce low rounds and stay within reach of the leaderboard against established programs.

OLLU Powers Past St. Mary’s In Two-Game Sweep

The Our Lady of the Lake University softball team delivered a commanding two-game sweep over the St. Mary’s University Rattlers, combining timely hitting and steady pitching to secure 7-2 and 9-6 victories.

In the opener, the Saints set the tone early and never relinquished control behind a balanced offensive attack that produced 12 hits. Arianna Alejandro sparked the lineup with two runs scored, while Boston Tijernia powered the middle of the order, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Marisa Rosales turned in one of the game’s standout performances, finishing 3-for-3 with a double, a home run, and an RBI as part of a two-run effort.

Yezenia Perez added a triple and drove in a run, and Novalee Gloria contributed a pair of hits, including a double, and two RBIs. Reanna Aguirre and Alyssa Guzman each brought in a run as the Saints capitalized on scoring opportunities throughout the contest.

Inside the circle, Annika Litterio delivered a complete-game performance to earn the win and improve to 4-1 on the season. She scattered seven hits, allowed two earned runs, and struck out seven across seven innings, throwing 128 pitches with 76 strikes. 

The Saints carried that offensive rhythm into game two, erupting for nine runs on 12 hits to complete the sweep. Alejandro once again ignited the lineup, finishing 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Tijernia delivered the biggest blow of the afternoon, going 2-for-5 with a double and four RBIs to anchor the offense.

Yezenia Perez continued her strong series with two hits and three RBIs, while Alyssa Guzman went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate and scored once. Reanna Aguirre added two runs, and the Saints drew four walks to keep pressure on the Rattlers’ pitching staff.

Valeria Vielma earned the win in the circle for the Saints, moving to 2-0 after working four innings with five strikeouts. Litterio returned in relief to secure her first save of the season, allowing one run over three innings while striking out two to close out the 9-6 victory.

Across both games, Our Lady of the Lake combined disciplined at-bats with consistent pitching to outscore the Rattlers 16-8. The Saints will be back in action this weekend against Xavier (LA) in a series at New Orleans starting on Friday. 

Women’s Tennis Falls To Rattlers

The Our Lady of the Lake University women’s tennis team faced a determined Saint Mary’s University squad in a hard-fought match that reflected both the resilience and competitive spirit of the Saints. Although the final result favored Saint Mary’s, OLLU demonstrated poise, perseverance, and flashes of brilliance throughout the contest.

Doubles play opened the afternoon with tightly contested battles on every court. At No. 1 doubles, Anja Pisar and Maeva Chambon challenged Selina Wu and Gia Posito with steady rallies and strong net presence, ultimately falling 6–3 in a match that showcased their growing chemistry. The No. 2 pairing of Marie Peters and Ely Laure pushed even closer, engaging in extended exchanges and keeping the score tight before Saint Mary’s edged them 7–5. OLLU secured a highlight at No. 3 doubles, where Michaela Muller and Carolina Guerrero executed with confidence and composure to earn a 7–5 victory, demonstrating the depth and competitive edge within the Saints lineup.

In singles play, OLLU continued to compete with determination against a disciplined Saint Mary’s team. Carolina Guerrero faced a tough opponent at No. 1 singles, battling through long points despite a 6–2, 6–2 result. Anja Pisar and Marie Peters encountered similarly challenging matches at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions, each fighting for momentum against consistent opposition.

The brightest moment of the day came from Ely Laure at No. 4 singles. After dropping the first set in a tiebreak, Laure responded with grit and focus, taking control of the second set 7–0 in a dominant tiebreak performance. She carried that momentum into the deciding set, closing it out 6–3 to earn a well-deserved three-set victory. Her performance embodied the resilience and competitive heart that define the OLLU program.

Maeva Chambon also showed remarkable determination at No. 5 singles, extending her match into a third set after claiming a hard-fought second-set tiebreak. Though the final set narrowly slipped away, her effort underscored the team’s refusal to back down. Michaela Muller competed steadily at No. 6, engaging in physical rallies and demonstrating composure throughout her match.

While the final team score did not fall in OLLU’s favor, the Saints left the courts with valuable experience and clear signs of progress as they start their season. 

Saints Rally Falls Just Short in 3–2 Battle with Huston-Tillotson


Our Lady of the Lake battled until the final out but came up just short in a 3-2 loss to Huston-Tillotson, as early runs proved to be the difference despite a resilient effort from the Saints pitching staff and flashes of timely hitting.

The tone of the afternoon was set in the opening frames when Huston-Tillotson capitalized on its early opportunities. Mason Krahn drew the start for OLLU and worked through traffic, but the Rams strung together three runs in the first two innings. Tucker Allen led the charge, finishing 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI. Noah Alvarez added an RBI of his own, and Danny Hernandez lifted a sacrifice fly to account for the third run. Huston-Tillotson managed six hits on the day, but their ability to convert early chances ultimately separated the two clubs.

From that point forward, OLLU’s pitching steadied the contest and gave the Saints every opportunity to rally. Josh Ruiz delivered a dominant relief appearance, tossing 5 scoreless innings while striking out nine and allowing just two hits. Ethan Garza followed with two shutout frames, fanning three more. Together, the trio limited the Rams to six hits and struck out 14 batters, keeping the deficit within reach throughout the afternoon.

Offensively, the Saints found momentum midway through the game. Christian Martinez sparked the lineup with a 2-for-3 performance, including a double, and scored one of OLLU’s two runs. Carlos Gusman showcased patience at the plate, drawing two walks and crossing home as well. The Saints finished with five hits and worked four walks, pressuring the Rams’ bullpen in the later innings.

After Nathaniel Davila held OLLU to two hits across five scoreless innings with six strikeouts, the Saints broke through against reliever Adrian German. Taking advantage of defensive miscues, OLLU pushed across two unearned runs to narrow the margin to one. However, despite placing runners on base and threatening late, the Saints stranded seven and were unable to deliver the tying hit.

Benjamin Hovda and Jacob Cueva each contributed a hit, while CaliEvan Billela-Barstow added another and swiped a base to ignite a late push. Still, the Rams bullpen combination of Chris Rodriguez and Evan Mendoza closed the door, striking out three over the final 2 innings to secure the narrow victory.

The Saints will be back in action this Friday at 2:00 PM CDT against John Melvin University in a weekend series. 

OLLU Sweeps Doubles Early, Seals Match with Singles Wins

Our Lady of the Lake University delivered a strong overall performance against Collin County Community College, earning key victories across the lineup to secure an impressive team win built on depth and composure.

The Saints set the tone early in doubles play, capturing the crucial doubles point with a sweep on all three courts. At No. 1 doubles, Corentin Fusaro and Jacob Gailey controlled the match from the outset, earning a 6-3 victory behind steady serving and confident net play. Jaroslav Majsajdr and Matis Nuziere followed with a commanding 6-2 win at No. 2, dictating tempo with aggressive baseline consistency. The most tightly contested battle came at No. 3, where Eliott Costa and Bastien Prod’homme edged their opponents 7-6, showing poise in the tiebreak to complete the sweep.

In singles, the Saints continued to apply pressure. Majsajdr delivered a composed straight-sets win at No. 2 singles, 6-2, 6-3, controlling rallies and limiting unforced errors. Fusaro added another point at No. 4 with a 6-4, 6-2 decision, while Nuziere was dominant at No. 6, conceding just two games in a 6-1, 6-1 performance.

Bastien Prod’homme showcased resilience at No. 3 singles. After taking the first set 6-2 and dropping the second 4-6, he regrouped and secured the decisive third set 6-4, demonstrating mental toughness in the closing games.

At No. 1 singles, Gabriel Nogueira represented the Saints in a tightly contested three-set battle. After winning the opening set 6-3, he pushed the second set to 5-7 before competing in a deciding match tiebreak. Though the match ultimately favored Collin County’s Luis Andre Oliva, Nogueira’s effort reflected the competitive intensity at the top of the lineup.

Eliott Costa also faced a demanding three-set contest at No. 5. After splitting two close sets, the match was decided in a match tiebreak that narrowly went to Collin County. Despite the result, Costa’s endurance and fight highlighted the Saints depth as they start the bulk of their season.