SAN ANTONIO (April 13, 2024) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) softball team completed its season sweep over the University of the Southwest (USW) this afternoon. The Saints took five innings to win 11-0 in the first game, and in the second game, 6-1 in the full seven innings. This marks 39 consecutive wins for the Saints from Feb. 9-April 13, 2024. They own the longest win streak than any university in any division (NCAA D1, D2, D3 and NAIA).

The Saints move to 43-1 overall and 20-0 in the Red River Athletic Conference. USW drops to 12-20 overall and 3-17 in conference.

In between games, the team honor Natalie Rodriguez for her senior's day.

History

The Saints are 42-13 against USW. Last year, the Saints won all four games against the Mustangs – 10-0, 13-4, 11-5, 6-1, and earlier this season, the Saints won 8-0 and 9-0 in Hobbs, N.M.

Game One

After a scoreless top of the first with Cassandra Valdez in the circle, Madison Garza hit a double to score Valdez. Making her debut at home this season was Alyssa Flores, and she singled to send Garza home. Ava Hernandez's sac fly scored Natalie Rodriguez to give the Saints the 3-0 lead. Rodriguez hit a double in the second inning, resulting in three RBIS with Madison Garza, Eneli Garza and Kristee Salas scoring. Grace Ross followed with another double to send Rodriguez home, Later in the inning, Hernandez reached base on an error, and Ross was able to score. The Saints were not done yet. Kayla Dreese hit a triple to send Hernandez home, and Salas' single scored Dreese to give the Saints the 10-0 lead. Alana Benitez pinch hit for Hernandez and she homered to put the Saints at 11-0 in the fourth inning. The fifth inning resulted in no action from the Mustangs, and the game ended on the run-rule.

Natalie Rodriguez went 2-for-3, adding two runs and four RBIs. Madison Garza went 2-for-3 and scored two runs and had one RBI. Ross, Flores, Hernandez, Benitez, Dreese and Salas each had an RBI.

Valdez pitched four innings and allowed three hits, while striking out six, to earn the win. Peyton Farris pitched one inning in relief.

Game Two

The Saints put the first run on the board after Natalie Rodriguez grounded out to score Cassandra Valdez. Rodriguez grounded out again in the third, and she scored Valdez. Alyssa Flores followed with a single, to send Madison Garza home. Kayla Dreese's single scored Ariana Alejandro to put the Saints at 4-1. The Mustangs scored their first run of the series in the fourth inning. Danika Utajara's ground out sent Elizabet Pinon home. In the bottom of the inning, Rodriguez's single sent Valdez home giving the Saints the 5-1 lead. The final run was scored in the sixth inning after Alana Benitez hit a sac fly to score Emelia Salinas. After a scoreless top of the seventh, the Saints took the 6-1 win

Cassandra Valdez went 1-for-2, adding three runs. Natalie Rodriguez went 1-for-3 and added three RBIs. Other RBIs were from Alyssa Flores, Kayla Dreese and Alana Benitez.

Ava Hernandez pitched six innings and allowed three hits and one run, while striking out seven, to earn the win. Valeria Vielma pitched one inning in relief.

Hear from Head Coach Bruce Lenington and players Natalie Rodriguez and Alyssa Flores

What's next

The Saints will host Texas A&M University – San Antonio on April 20 beginning at 12 p.m.