Saints Softball beats No. 8-Central Methodist and Missouri Baptist in Louisiana

ALEXANDRIA, LA. (Feb. 2, 2024) – The NAIA's No. 7-ranked Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) softball team started the Louisiana Christian University (OLLU) Invitational Tournament this afternoon with a win over No. 8-ranked Central Methodist University (CMU) 4-3. Saturday's games against Central Christian College and Central Baptist College were cancelled due to rain in the area. The Saints are now 2-0, while the Eagles are 0-1 and the Spartans are 0-1.

Head Coach Bruce Lenington commented, "We couldn't have asked for a more challenging start to our season but we really responded well. Game one absolutely felt like a World Series game and many of our new players really stepped up in a big way. Ava Hernandez and Cassandra Valdez were a strong 1-2 punch in both games. I can't wait to see this team get better this season."

History

The Saints are 2-1 against the CMU Eagles. Last year, OLLU won 7-1. This is the first matchup against MBU.

Vs. Central Methodist University

The first two innings were uneventful for the teams, and Cassandra Valdez broke the scoreless games with a double to score Madison Garza in the third inning. A home run from Joely Crider followed in the fourth to give the Eagles the 2-1 lead. To close out the fourth, Ariana Alejandro reached on an error, and Emilia Salinas came in to tie the game at 2-2.

In the fifth inning, Kelena Oots scored on a Saints' error, and the Eagles took the 3-2 lead. Valdez shot it to left for a triple that scored Kayla Dreese in the bottom of the fifth, and the score was tied at 3-3.

Valdez hit a single down the left side. With a stolen base and a groundout, Valdez moved to third base. Hernandez got a walk-off single that sent Valdez home to secure the 4-3 win for the Saints.

Leaders on offense

Valdez was a home run short of hitting for the cycle after she went 3-for-3. She had a run and a stolen base.

Crider went 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs.

Pitching duel

Valdez started in the circle for the Saints, and she went 4.2 innings, striking out three, allowing five hits and three runs. Hernandez came in relief in the fifth inning, and she closed out the game to earn the win.

The Eagles started with Haile Farris in the circle, and she pitched four innings, allowing three hits and three runs. Haley Cotter suffered the loss after pitching 2.1 innings.

Vs. Missouri Baptist University

After a scoreless first inning, Natalie Rodriguez doubled to begin the second period. Ava Hernandez walked, followed by a bunt single from Kristee Salas. Grace Ross followed with a sacrifice fly to send Rodriguez home. Hernandez came home to give the Saints the 2-0 lead. The Spartans threatened in the fourth inning with two hits and again in the sixth with a hit. The Saints were able to contain the threats to win the game 2-0.

Leaders on offense

Madison Garza, Cassandra Valdez, Natalie Rodriguez, Kristee Salas and Eneli Garza had one hit each. Grace Ross had one RBI.  Brooklynn Fischer led her team going 2-for-2.

Pitching duel

Ava Hernandez pitched five innings and recorded seven strikeouts to earn the win. Cassandra Valdez came in to relieve Hernandez for the save. Alexandria Cafolla pitched five innings for the Spartans to suffer the loss.

What's next

The Saints return home to host Central Washington University for a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.