Bruce Lenington – Lake Weekly

Softball welcomes 5 transfers, 6 freshmen to 2024-2025 squad

The OLLU softball team is welcoming five transfers and six freshman to the class of 2024-2025. The transfers are Krystal Castaneda, Jazlyn Gomez, Annika Litterio, Lilly Rocha and Kayla Rogers. The freshmen joining the team are Alexia Alegria, Danika Jimenez, Yezenia Perez, Brianna Ramirez and Ayanna Trejo.

Head Coach Bruce Lenington is eager to see the contributions these new student-athletes will make to this upcoming squad. The team is coming off a NAIA World Series National Championship – the first in OLLU history. The Saints finished out the season with a 57-3 overall record and a 24-0 Red River Athletic Conference

Krystal Castaneda is a native of Magnolia, Texas, where she graduated from Magnolia High School. She attended Trinity Valley Community College. Her awards include 2023-2024 All-American Scholar-Athlete, Four-Time President’s Honor Roll, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Pauline Knight Perkins Scholarship, 2024 Academic All-Region, 2023 All-Academic First Team. She is majoring in physical therapy.

Jazlyn Gomez is from Horizon, Texas, where she graduated from Eastlake High School. She is a transfer from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She will major in rehab services.

San Antonio native Annika Litterio is a graduate of Warren High School. She attended University of Texas at El Paso. She is a Two-Time Second Team CUSA All-Academic. She is majoring in psychology.

Lilly Rocha, who is from Harlingen, Texas, is a graduate of Harlingen High School. She attended McLennan Community College. Her awards include Two-Time RSL Homerun Derby Champ, Defensive Player of the Year, First Team Third Baseman, Second Team Third Baseman. She is majoring in health services.

Kayla Rogers is from Harlingen, Texas, where she attended Harlingen High School South. She is a transfer from Huston-Tillotson University. Her awards include Most Improved HTU 2022 Women’s Softball, CAS Scholar HTU, UNCF Scholar HTU, Dean’s List HTU and Honor Roll HTU. The graduate student will pursue an MBA.

Alexia Alegria is a native of Hebbronville, Texas, where she graduated from Hebbronville High School. Her awards include Three-Time First-Team All-District shortstop, 2024 First-Team Caller-Times, All-South Texas infielder, Four-Time Caller-Times, All-South Texas infielder, Three-Time Team MVP, 2024 CC Hooks Preseason All-Star Selection and Two-Time Sports Live All-Star Selection. She plans to major in kinesiology.

Danika Jimenez comes to OLLU from Edinburg, Texas, where she graduated from Robert Vela High School. She plans to major in biology.

Yezenia Perez is a native of Harlingen, Texas, where she graduated from Harlingen High School South. Her athletic awards include Second-Team All-District, Sophomore of the Year, All-District MVP, THCSA All-State, THCSA Super Elite Team and TGCSA All-State. Perez plans to major in kinesiology.

Brianna Ramirez, who is from San Antonio, graduated from Brennan High School. She was named to the All-District First Team and will major in kinesiology.

Ayanna Trejo is a native of San Antonio, where she graduated from Warren High School. She plans to major in kinesiology.

Softball coaches named NAIA National Coaching Staff of the Year

OLLU softball coaches have been voted by their peers as the 2024 ATEC/NFCA NAIA National Coaching Staff of the Year after winning the NAIA national championship.

Under the direction of head coach Bruce Lennington, assistant coach Jody Armijo, pitching assistant Katrisha Arocha and student assistants Gilbert Alvarado and Rebecca Duran, the Saints (57-3) went on a perfect 7-0 run through the postseason to capture their first red banner at the 2024 NAIA Softball World Series in Columbus, Ga. It marked the second straight appearance at the World Series for the NAIA’s wire-to-wire No. 1 program. OLLU has combined for an 108-11 (.908) record the past two seasons, setting the program record for wins in each of those years.

In its run to the school’s first-ever national title, OLLU recorded six shutouts (62 scoreless innings), which included a streak of five straight to open their postseason march. The Saints were not scored upon until the second inning of the national semifinal tilt against University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, a 4-3 win in eight innings, and capped off the season with their final shutout, 2-0 versus Jessup University.

OLLU, a representative of Region II, was joined by Georgia Gwinnett College (Region I), Oklahoma City University (Region III), Jessup University (Region IV), Central Methodist University (Region V) and University of the Cumberlands (Region VI) – as NAIA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year recipients.

Lennington, Armijo, Arocha, Alvarado and Duran will be recognized at the NFCA Awards Brunch on Dec. 7 at the 2024 NFCA Convention in Dallas.

City Council honors Saints national championship softball team

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and the City Council recognized OLLU’s 2024 national championship softball team during last week’s City Council meeting.

Nirenberg declared June 6, 2024, “OLLU women’s softball NAIA World Series Champions Day.”

A video tribute to the softball team was played in council chambers. The mayor and all 10 council members applauded and posed for photos with OLLU softball coach Bruce Lenington and players.

Softball coaches named ATEC/NFCA Regional Staff of the Year

The ATEC/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has named OLLU as one of six NAIA programs selected by their peers as the 2024 ATEC/NFCA Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year.

Congratulations to Head Coach Bruce Lenington, assistant coaches Jody Armijo and Gilbert Alvarado, student assistant Rebecca Duran and pitching assistant Katrisha Arocha.

Representing each of the NAIA’s six regions, are these coaching staffs: Georgia Gwinnett College (Region I), Our Lady of the Lake University (Region II), Oklahoma City University (Region III), Jessup University (Region IV), Central Methodist University (Region V) and University of the Cumberlands (Region VI). They are now eligible for the ATEC/NFCA NAIA National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on June 12.

All six programs won their respective Opening Round pods and qualified for 2024 NAIA Softball World Series at the South Commons Complex in Columbus, Ga.

Softball faces Cottey College in NAIA opening round

The top-seeded OLLU softball team (50-3) will face fourth-seed Cottey College at 2:30 p.m. today in the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round at the St. Mary’s University Softball Field.

OLLU is competing in the San Antonio Bracket, one of two brackets featuring four teams. The eight remaining host cities will feature five teams. The winners of each bracket will advance to the 43rd Annual NAIA Softball National Championship, which will be held May 23-29 at the South Commons Complex in Columbus, Ga.

Head Coach Bruce Lenington commented, “The exciting part of this time of year is that everyone has the same record, same ranking and same goal. Our players are ready to compete and leave it all on the field.”

The Saints were runners-up in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Championship Tournament after capturing the regular-season title with a perfect 24-0 record. This year, they received the No. 1 rank in every regular-season NAIA Softball Coaches’ Poll.

After losing to Central Washington in early February, the Saints went on a 45-game win streak before losing twice to LSU-Alexandria in the conference tournament.

The Saints are led by Cassandra Valdez, who has 57 runs, four triples, 14 home runs, 42 walks and 28 stolen bases. She also leads the team in OBP with .529 and SLG with .824. Kayla Dreese leads the Saints in hits with 56, in doubles with 13 and batting average with .427. Natalie Rodriguez leads the team in 44 RBIs.

OLLU’s pitching ranks among the nation’s best. Cassandra Valdez has an ERA of 0.67, second-best in the NAIA. She has logged nine shutouts, three saves and a record of 23-1. She has 228 strikeouts. Ava Hernandez has an ERA of 1.41 with a record of 19-2. She has eight shutouts and 99 strikeouts.

Softball falls to LSU-Alexandria in RRAC Championship Tournament

The No. 1-ranked OLLU softball team fell to LSU-Alexandria (LSUA) 3-1 on May 5 in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Championship Tournament semifinals.

The Saints are the No. 1 seed while the Generals are the No. 2 seed. The Saints 45-game winning streak was snapped with the loss. Saints pitcher Cassandra Valdez lost her first game in the circle this season after 5.1 innings with three earned runs.

Head Coach Bruce Lenington commented, “What I haven’t been able to teach our team is how to bounce back after a loss. Only losing can provide that opportunity and I’m excited to see how our team responds.”

The Saints will face No. 5 Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT) for the second time in the tournament today at noon. The winner will move on to face LSUA in the championship game. The winner of the OLLU versus TAMUT game will have to beat LSUA twice to claim the championship.

Softball pushes winning streak to 13 games

The No.7-ranked OLLU softball team won all three games on the second day of the Red Dirt Classic hosted by Langston University. The Saints concluded the tournament with an undefeated record of 5-0. The squad has the most wins in the NAIA with a 17-1 record and have won 13 straight games.

Head Coach Bruce Lenington said, “Three wins in a day required contributions from every member of our program. The pitching was phenomenal all weekend and our offense was able to apply pressure until we crossed home plate. We definitely deserve a few days off.”

The Saints defeated Texas Wesleyan, 11-2, Oklahoma City, 4-1, Southwestern Assemblies of God University, 5-2, Mid-America Christian, 3-0 and Oklahoma Panhandle State, 10-0.

OLLU Softball welcomes 2023-2024 freshman class

The OLLU softball team is welcoming 10 freshmen to its 2023-2024 squad.

Joining the team in August 2023 are Micaela Aguilar, Reanna Aguirre, Katalina Alvarado, Lexie Escamilla, Peyton Farris, Ava Hernandez, Jocelyn Perez, Tania Rodriguez, Laila Vega and Celina Wilharm.

Head Coach Bruce Lenington commented, “I am very happy to welcome our largest group of freshmen to the softball program in the five years that I’ve been the head coach. Each holds the potential to help us continue the championship legacy that has come before them. I am excited to see them each grow as they achieve their various degrees here at the Lake.”

Valdez named MVP of Music City Collegiate League

Saints softball player Cassandra Valdez has been named the Most Valuable Player this summer for the Music City Collegiate League (MCCL) in Nashville, where she competed for the Smoky Mountain Rain.

The MCCL is comprised of players from universities throughout America, and this season marks the first time a league has been represented in the ACL from Tennessee.

Valdez shined in league play by throwing six innings with 12 strikeouts to lead the squad to the regular season championship. She also hit three RBIs in the game and smashed five home runs during the season. Prior to winning the championship, Valdez pitched the first shutout ever in the league. Her accomplishments during the competition led to her being named MVP.

Valdez commented, “I’ve been enjoying my time in Tennessee with my team. The team selection was random, but we all clicked in our first game together and they have been making this experience fun. I always bring the energy and I think it rubs off on my teammates and the OLLU culture. It was great to be recognized as the MVP after my offensive and defensive performances. My goal is to get noticed by professional scouts while playing in the league. I also want to note that playing in the NAIA doesn’t mean I can’t compete against higher divisions. I’m honored to represent my community, OLLU softball and the NAIA.”

Valdez has set multiple records and earned prestigious awards during her career at OLLU. Head Coach Bruce Lenington said, “We couldn’t be prouder to watch Cassandra represent Texas and OLLU in such a great way on a national stage. She really stood out amongst a league of college players from around the country. She has a commitment to get better in what will be her last collegiate year. We are excited to see what this experience means to her as we pursue another championship here at the lake.”

OLLU softball recognized for one of top coaching staffs in region

The OLLU softball coaching staff is one of six NAIA programs selected by their peers as the 2023 ATEC/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year, the Association announced on June 1.

OLLU represents Region II. The Saints made their first trip ever to the World Series as the No. 2 seed. The team was led by the award-winning coaching staff of Head Coach Bruce Lenington and Assistant Coach Jody Armijo. Oher assistant coaches include Katrisha Arocha, Jim Bray and Gilbert Alvarado. Lenington and Armijo began their tenure in 2019. Lenington has compiled a record of 134-53 at OLLU.

Other team winners include: Georgia Gwinnett College (Region I), Midland University (Region III), Park University Gilbert (Region IV), Baker University (Region V) and the University of the Cumberlands (Region VI).

All six teams are now eligible for the ATEC/NFCA NAIA National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on June 12.