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The Saints cheer on Cassandra Valdez, who had just hit her home run.
The Saints cheer on Cassandra Valdez, who had just hit her home run.

OLLU Softball Wins Two Games by a Combined Score of 19-1 Over Avila

SAN ANTONIO (Feb. 9, 2024) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) softball team run-ruled Avila University in both games of the OLLU Saints Classic Softball Tournament. The Saints improve to 6-1 overall while the Eagles drop to 0-3.

History

The Saints played Avila in 2016 and lost 5-3.

Game one

Natalie Rodriguez got the momentum going in the bottom of the first inning with a triple to score Cassandra Valdez. With Kayla Dresse going to first on a hit by the pitcher, and Valdez and Rodriguez with walks to fill the bases, Grace Ross hit a grand slam to give the Saints the 5-0 lead. Rodriguez's ground out sent Dreese home to move the Saints to 6-0.

In the fifth inning, Avila's Maya Richards scored on a wild pitch, and with the Saints leading 6-1, a Dreese go-ahead double scored Celia Wilharm, Marissa Bradley and Ava Hernandez to end the game with the 9-1 win.

Dreese and Valdez each had two runs, while Rodriguez added a triple and two RBIs and Ross contributed four RBIs and a home run.

Valdez secured the complete game win with eight strikeouts. Chaunelle Penn suffered the lost for Avila going 2.2 innings, allowing three hits and five runs.


Game two

Rodriguez once again got the rally going for the Saints. She had a sac fly to bring Dreese home, and a single from Ross scored Valdez. With the bases loaded, Kristee Salas' hit by the pitcher sent Ross home, and a walk from Eneli Garza scored Hernandez. Another walk from Ariana Alejandro scored Madison Garza. Dreese followed with a double to bring in Garza and Salas and the Saints took the 7-0 lead all in the first inning. In the third, Alejandro hit to left and Dreese reached on a single to left field, bringing up Valdez, who homered. The Saints took the 10-0 lead and were able to end the game in five innings. 

Dreese went 3-for-3 adding two runs and two RBIs. Valdez added two runs and three RBIs, plus a stolen base.

Ava Hernandez secured the win after pitching a complete game and allowing just one hit while striking out six.

Cassie Elliott pitched 0.1 innings and allowed three hits and seven runs. The Saints had only two strikeouts in the game


Hear from Head Coach Bruce Lenington and watch highlights.

 

Up next

The Saints will continue with the OLLU Saints Classic on Feb. 10 with a game against Sul Ross State University at 12:30 p.m.