OLLU Softball Fights Off Texarkana To Win Series 9-0 / 1-0

TEXARKANA, TEXAS (April 6, 2024) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) softball team shut out Texas A&M University – Texarkana (TAMUT) 9-0 in the first game of a doubleheader and squeaked by 1-0 in the second game earlier today. The Saints broke their own record of consecutive wins of 35 from Feb. 25-May 5, 2023, to 37 from Feb. 9-April 6, 2024. They own the longest win streak than any university in any division (NCAA D1, D2, D3 and NAIA).

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.

History

The Saints are 10-9 against TAMUT. Last year, the Eagles had to forfeit both of their games against the Saints, and the year before, the Saints won 1-0 and 4-2 and lost 0-1, 1-3 and 1-6.

Game One

The Saints started the game with a three-run rally led by Natalie Rodriguez, who doubled. Grace Ross singled to send Cassandra Valdez home. Alyssa Flores, who became eligible today, started her season with a sacrifice fly out to score Rodriguez. Ava Hernandez followed with a single that scored Ross. The Saints took the early 3-0 lead.

With Cassandra Valdez in the circle, she allowed one hit to start the inning, but struck out three to end the first. The game stayed at 3-0 through the third when Flores homered to push the Saints to a 4-0 lead.

OLLU came back in the fourth with a double from Ross that sent Valdez and Kristee Salas home. Hernandez hit a sac hit, and Rodriguez came home. Kayla Dreese followed with a single to score Emilia Salinas and Arianna Alejandro to give the Saints the 9-0 lead.

The Saints threatened again in the fifth but ended up with two hits. Valdez was able to keep the Eagles at bay to end the game with the 9-0 win.

Rodriguez led the offense as she went 2-for-4, adding two runs on two doubles. Ross went 2-for-4 adding one run, a double and three RBIs. Flores finished at 1-for-1 adding two RBIs including a home run.

Valdez went four innings and allowed one hit while striking out nine. Valeria Vielma went one inning and struck out one in relief.

Game Two

The Saints started the game with a hit from Madison Garza, but the team could not capitalize on the single. OLLU added two more hits in the second, while the Eagles got their first hit but nothing materialized. The pitching duel continued in the third inning, with each team getting hits but not able to score. Cassandra Valdez came in relief in the fifth inning for starting pitcher Ava Hernandez. In the seventh inning, it was three up and three down for both teams, necessitating extra innings to finish the game. In the eighth, Madison Garza singled, and Natalie Rodriguez's hit sent her home for the game's first run.

Valdez was able to keep the Eagles from scoring in the eighth to secure the 1-0 win for the Saints.

Garza went 2-for-2, scoring the game's only run. Rodriguez went 1-for-4, recording the only RBI.

Valdez pitched three innings and struck out six with nine batters faced.

What's next

The Saints return home to host the University of the Southwest on April 13 beginning at 12 p.m.