The NAIA No. 2-ranked OLLU softball team finished the 2023 season with a 6-5 loss in a close game against Midland University (MU) in the NAIA World Series. The No. 2 seed Saints finish the season at 51-8 overall while the No. 10 seed Warriors move to 41-14. The Saints’ 51 victories were the most in program history and were highlighted by a 35-game winning streak.
Head Coach Bruce Lenington commented, “The fight that our players showed should make any fan of OLLU proud. The outgoing seniors have left a lasting legacy that will set our expectations for teams to come. It was my honor to watch them compete every day.”
The NAIA No. 2-ranked OLLU softball team defeated Hope International University (HIU) 2-0 in both games on May 17 to claim the NAIA Opening Round San Antonio Bracket title – and advance to the NAIA World Series for the first time in program history.
The Saints will compete in the week-long World Series, starting Thursday in Columbus, Ga.
“I am super proud,” said OLLU softball Coach Bruce Lenington. “They were rock solid in the whole tournament and they kept to our game plan.”
Saints pitcher Cassandra Valdez threw a 1-hit shutout to defeat HIU 2-0 in the first game on May 17. She came back in the second game and threw four strong innings in relief, allowing only two hits.
The Saints were seeded No. 1 for the NAIA Opening Round and finished with a 4-1 record. Hope was the No. 2 seed.
Eight OLLU softball players have been named to the All-Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) softball team.
Cassandra Lopez was named Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year for the second year and first-team All-RRAC for the third year. Saints coach Bruce Leninington was named Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Other Saints who made the All-RRAC first-team were Joanna Gonzalez, Madison Nunn, Rebecca Duran, Madison Garza and Ariel Montgomery. Caitlin Terrazas made the All-RRAC second-team and Angela Ramirez was named the team’s Champions of Character winner.
The Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) announced the 2023 RRAC Softball All-Conference Team and Player of the Year awards on May 4. Coaches determined the selections, with those on the first team being eligible for NAIA All-America consideration at the completion of the season.
The Saints ended the regular season with a 28-0 RRAC record and are now 43-4 overall with a 34-game winning streak. The Saints – the NAIA’s No. 2 team, Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) – won three of five top awards of the year and placed six on the all-conference first team and one on the second team.
The Saints’ Cassandra Valdez won RRAC Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year awards for the second year. Head Coach Bruce Lenington was selected as Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.
The following are current, significant stats (top five) for all the honorees:
RRAC Player of the Year and RRAC Pitcher of the Year – Cassandra Valdez: She dominated the circle with 21 wins and 291 strikeouts – both conference-bests. She was also third in the conference in ERA (1.53). As a hitter, Valdez batted .398 (fifth in the conference) with a conference-best 13 home runs and conference second-best 39 RBIs. Her other stats include first in runs (38), first in slugging percentage (.864), fourth in hits (47), fifth in batting average (.398)
RRAC Coach of the Year – Bruce Lenington: In his fourth year at OLLU, Lenington guided the Saints to a 43-4 mark for the season so far. OLLU leads the conference with 327 runs, 93 doubles, 64 home runs, 302 RBIs, 148 walks, .426 on-base percentage and .609 slugging percentage. The Saints are also first in strikeouts with 291. They are second in hits with 385, triples with 28, and batting average at .334. The Saints are second in innings pitched with 279.2 and in ERA at 1.70. Finally, the Saints are first in overall fielding percentage at .970.
Rebecca Duran – first in runs (38), fifth in hits (45), fourth in doubles (13)
Madison Nunn – first in RBIs (40), second in home runs (10), second in slugging percentage (.792), fifth in runs (35), first in fielding percentage (1.000)
Madison Garza – third in slugging percentage (.675), fourth in doubles (14)
Caitlin Terrazas – first in hit-by-pitch (19), third in home runs (8)
