The No. 1 ranked OLLU softball team completed its season sweep over the University of the Southwest (USW) 11-0 and 6-1 on April 13 to extend its winning streak to 39 games, the longest of any team (NCAA D1, D2, D3 and NAIA) in the nation.
The Saints took five innings to claim the first game, 11-0, behind the three-hit pitching of Cassandra Valdez, who secured her 18th win. Alana Benitez also homered and Kayla Dreese tripled for the Saints.
In the second game, Ana Hernandez allowed three hits and one run to secure her 17th win.
The Saints move to 43-1 overall and 20-0 in the Red River Athletic Conference. USW drops to 12-20 overall and 3-17 in conference.
In between games, the team honored Natalie Rodriguez on Seniors’ Day.
The softball team swept Texas A&M University – Texarkana (TAMUT), 9-0 and 1-0, to extend its winning streak to 37 games. The Saints boast a longer winning streak than any university in any division (NCAA D1, D2, D3 and NAIA).
Cassandra Valdez threw a one-hit shutout to secure her 17th win in the opener. In the second game, Natalie Rodriguez drove in Madison Garza with an RBI single in the 8th inning for a 1-0 victory.
The Saints move to 41-1 overall and 18-0 in the Red River Athletic Conference. TAMUT drops to 18-16 overall and 11-9 in conference.
Fueled by 20 hits, 19 runs and 16 RBIs, the NAIA’s No. 1 ranked OLLU softball team swept Xavier University of Louisiana, 9-0 and 10-2, on Saturday to extend its winning streak to 31 games.
The Saints improve to 35-1 overall and 12-0 in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). The Gold Nuggets drop to 7-11 and 5-7 in the RRAC. Prior to the game, the team honored Marissa Bradley for her senior’s day.
In the opener, Madison Garza and Cassandra Valdez homered. Valdez also struck out 11 in five innings and won her 13th game of the season.
In the second game, Madison Garza and Ava Hernandez each drove in three runs and Valeria Vielma allowed four hits and secured the win.
Saints pitcher Cassandra Valdez threw a perfect game against the University of the Southwest and the No. 1 ranked OLLU softball team went on to sweep the Mustangs, 8-0 and 9-0, extending their winning streak to 23 games.
In the road opener last on March 14, Valdez struck out 13 of 15 batters, set the OLLU record for most shutouts in a career with 18 and won her 11th game.
In the second game, Ava Hernandez threw a one-hit shutout, striking out 10, and improved to 13-1 on the season.
The Saints moved to 27-1 overall and 8-0 in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). The Mustangs fell to 9-11 and 0-3.
The softball team opened Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) play with a sweep of Texas A&M University – San Antonio (A&M-SA) on Saturday, 5-1 and 10-1. The No. 7 Saints improve to 12-1 overall and 2-0 in conference, while the Jaguars drop to 5-3 overall and 0-2 in conference.
Head Coach Bruce Lenington commented, “These were two great conference wins for us on the road. Our players did a great job of sticking with our offensive game plan in game one and many players contributed in game two. I’m excited to represent RRAC in an Oklahoma City tournament next weekend.”
In the opener, Saints centerfielder Kayla Dreese went 4-for-4 and drove in one run while Cassandra Valdez struck out 13 while hurling a one-hit shutout.
In the second game, Valdez drove in five runs with two homers and Ava Hernandez secured the win, allowing one run on four hits through four innings.
The No. 7 ranked OLLU softball team swept a doubleheader from No. 6 University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO), 2-1 and 7-2, this past weekend. The Saints improve to 10-1 overall while the Drovers drop to 4-2.
In the opener, OLLU pitcher Cassandra Valdez struck out eight and held USAO to six-hits. Saints pitcher Ava Hernandez won the second game for OLLU, allowing four hits across 5 ⅓ innings, while Valdez secured the save. Hernandez also drove in two runs in the 7-2 victory.
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 celebrated the accomplishments of the softball team from the 2022-2023 season during the virtual 11th Annual Big Blue Athletics Banquet.
The season was highlighted by the team’s first-ever NAIA World Series participation. The Saints won the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) regular season and tournament. They went on to win the San Antonio Bracket of the NAIA Opening Round and earned their first trip to the NAIA World Series. The team also won the NAIA Scholar-Team Award, and the coaching staff was selected as the NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year.
Cassandra Valdez and Madison Nunn were both selected to the NFCA-NAIA All-American First Team, while Valdez earned NAIA All-American First Team honors and Nunn received NAIA edam, earned a bevy of awards throughout the season.
In addition, Nunn was named OLLU’s Big Blue Top Saint Female Athlete of the Year.
OLLU softball standoutsCassandra 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.
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced the 149 student-athletes from 68 schools who comprise the 2023 NFCA NAIA All-Region teams.
Oregon Institute of Technology in Region IV led all schools with six players chosen for its region’s list, with four earning first-team recognition. Four schools — NAIA World Series participants Central Methodist (Region V) and Georgia Gwinnett (Region I), Our Lady of the Lake University (Region II) and Texas A&M-Texarkana (Region I) — had five selections each.
