OLLU Celebrates Historic 2023 Season With Presentation of Championship Rings and Awards Ceremony
SAN ANTONIO (Nov. 2, 2023) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) softball team hosted an award ceremony and championship ring presentation for the 2022-2023 team that captured the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) titles. The team won the opening round of the NAIA National Tournament and went on to participate in the NAIA Softball World Series – the first softball team to do that in OLLU history.
Before the ceremony began, Head Coach Bruce Lenington introduced special guests Athletic Director Tom Norris and OLLU President Abel Antonio Chávez, MBA, PhD, and his wife, Naomi. Both Norris and Chávez were presented OLLU varsity jackets.
After the invocation by Lenington, Assistant Coach Jody Armijo took over as master of ceremonies. He introduced the newcomers who joined the team this year, including freshmen Lexie Escamilla, Reanna Aguirre, Ava Hernandez, Celina Wilharm, Laila Vega, Micaela Aguilar, Tania Rodriguez and Peyton Farris, and transfer sophomore Bradi Hill and graduate student Natalie Rodriguez.
Armijo talked about the accomplishments of the 2023 team. The women finished the season with a 51-8 record and 28-0 in conference. They also finished the academic year with a 3.31 GPA earning them the NAIA Scholar Team Award. Here are some of the records the team broke in 2023:
- Best Overall Record
- Best Conference Record
- Most Runs with 395
- Most Doubles with 110
- Most Home Runs with 72
- Most RBIs with 362
- Best Slugging Percentage at .579
- Most Walks with 176
- Most Hit by Pitch with 50
- Best On-Base Percentage at .415
- Best Fielding Percentage at .971
- Best Pitching ERA at 2.02
- Most Pitching Strikeouts with 375
Career records set by individuals include:
- Most Games Played – Madison Nunn with 211
- Most Runs – Madison Nunn with 157
- Most Home Runs – Ariel Montgomery with 33
- Best Slugging Percentage – Cassandra Valdez at .732
- Most Hit by Pitch – Caitlin Terrazas with 23
- Most Stolen Bases – Madison Nunn with 70
- Best ERA – Cassandra Valdez with 1.75
- Most Wins – Cassandra Valdez with 52
Armijo announced the award winners from last season, which included:
RRAC Scholar-Athletes who earned at least a 3.0 GPA: Marissa Bradley, Kayla Dreese, Jennifer Estrada, Alyssa Flores, Allison Garcia, Alyssa Garcia, Allison Garcia, Ariana Garcia, Eneli Garza, Madison Garza, Joanna GOnzalez, Kaili Luna, Julissa Moreno, Madison Nunn, MacKenzie Purcell, Kristee Salas, Caitlin Terrazas, Cassandra Valdez and Deandra Vera
College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Awards, which require at least a 3.3 GPA: Kayla Dreese, Jennifer Estrada, Kristee Salas and Caitlin Terrazas
NAIA Scholar-Athletes, who earned at least a 3.5 GPA: Marissa Bradley, Kayla Dreese, Jennifer Estrada, Kristee Salas, Caitlin Terrazas and Cassandra Valdez
All-Conference: Caitlin Terrazas – Second Team; Cassandra Valdez, Rebecca Duran, Madison Garza, Joanna Gonzalez, Ariel Montgomery and Madison Nunn – First Team
Conference All-Tournament: Madison Garza, Joanna Gonzalez, Madison Nunn and Cassandra Valdez - Tournament MVP
Champions of Character: Angela Ramirez
Players of the Week: Rebecca Duran, Madison Nunn and Caitlin Terrazas
Pitcher of the Week: Cassandra Valdez (four)
Jennifer Estrada received the inaugural Jennifer Estrada Gold Glove Award for her outstanding defensive skills.
Madison Nunn captured the NAIA Player of the Week Award – The first time any softball player has won this award in history in OLLU history. Nunn also was named the OLLU Big Blue Female Athlete of the Year.
Head Coach Bruce Lenington won his second consecutive Red River Coach of the Year award.
Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year: Cassandra Valdez – she also won both awards in 2022
National Fastpitch Coaches Association NAIA All-Region: Cassandra Valdez and Madison Nunn – First Team and Rebecca Duran, Madison Garza and Joanna Gonzalez – Second Team
The Saints coaching staff won the NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year.
NFCA/NAIA All-America First Team: Madison Nunn and Cassandra Valdez
Madison Nunn earned the NAIA All-American Honorable Mention Award. Cassandra Valdez was named to the NAIA All-America First Team – the first softball player to win this award. Both Valdez and Nunn came up to the podium to provide remarks about their accomplishments and those of the team.
After the awards were announced, Armijo introduced the 2023 team. Athletic Director Tom Norris, OLLU President Chávez and Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance / Title IX Deputy Coordinator / Women's Athletic Administrator Haley Holzem presented the championship rings to the team, which included:
Head Coach Bruce Lenington
Assistant Coach Jody Armijo
Assistant Coach Katricha Arocha
Assistant Coach Jim Bray
Assistant Coach Gilbert Alvarado
Student Assistant Ysa Gonzalez
Players:
Rebecca Duran
Jennifer Estrada
Joanna Gonzalez
Ariel Montgomery
Madison Nunn
MacKenzie Purcell
Angela Ramirez
Caitlin Terrazas
Deandra Vera
The last presentation went to OLLU President Dr. Chávez. Lenington commented that Dr. Chavez has been a staunch supporter of the program and thanked him for everything he has done for OLLU Softball. Dr. Chavez was presented with his own championship ring, plus a display case on behalf of the entire team.
Lenington commented, "It was a beautiful evening to pay tribute to a group of players and coaches who sacrificed so much to honor our university with their play on the field. When I look back on my career, this group will have a special place in my heart. They were champions on and off the field."