Softball Pushes Winning Streak to 13 with Five Wins at Red Dirt Classic

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 3, 2024) – The No.7-ranked Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) softball team won all three games on the second day of the Red Dirt Classic hosted by Langston University. The Saints concluded the tournament with an undefeated record of 5-0. The squad has the second-most wins in the NAIA with a 17-1 record and have won 13 straight games.

Head Coach Bruce Lenington said, "Three wins in a day required contributions from every member of our program. The pitching was phenomenal all weekend and our offense was able to apply pressure until we crossed home plate. We definitely deserve a few days off."

vs. Southwestern Assemblies of God University

OLLU totaled 11 hits in a 5-2 victory over Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU). The Lions opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the first inning. The Saints responded in the bottom of the frame with a single by Natalie Rodriguez that scored Cassandra Valdez and Kayla Dreese. The game remained tied until the fourth inning. Emilia Salinas singled to bring in Reanna Aguirre. Valdez hit a home run in the fifth inning and Bradi Hill later hit a ground out RBI to score Rodriguez. The Saints limited SAGU to three hits. Ava Hernandez pitched a complete game with eight strikeouts to earn the win.

vs. Mid-America Christian University

The Saints blanked the Evangels in a low-scoring game. Kristee Salas singled in the second inning to score Hernandez and give OLLU a 1-0 advantage. The Saints led 1-0 until the sixth inning when Salas picked up another RBI. Eneli Garza later singled to give the Saints a 3-0 lead. The score held and the Saints improved to 4-0 at the tournament. Valdez secured the win after pitching all seven innings with 12 strikeouts. Kayla Dreese broke the career stolen bases record for the Saints in the fifth inning when she stole second. Dreese has 72 career stolen bases, and the previous record was held by Madison Nunn with 70.

Vs. Oklahoma Panhandle State University

The Saints run-ruled Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) 10-0 in five innings to finish play at the Red Dirt Classic. OLLU's offense exploded in the second inning with eight runs. Marissa Bradley, Rodriguez and Grace Ross all tallied RBIs in the inning. Ross hit her second home run of the season during the eight-run frame. The Saints scored one run in the third and fourth inning to secure the victory. Valeria Vielma started in the circle and earned the win by going four innings with three strikeouts. Peyton Farris pitched one inning in relief.

Up next

The Saints host Schreiner University for a doubleheader on March 5 starting at 12 p.m.