Valdez Pitches One-Hitter to Advance Saints to Semifinal of Opening Round

SAN ANTONIO (May 13, 2024) – The No. 1-ranked Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) softball team downed Cottey College (CC) 4-0 in their first game in the San Antonio Bracket of the NAIA Opening Round. The Saints are the No. 1 seed while the Comets are No. 4. The bracket also includes No. 2 seed Hope International University (HIU) and No. 3 seed Evangel University. The Saints improve to 51-3 on the season while the Comets drop to 31-20.

History

This was the first meeting between the two programs.

Basics

The Saints scored the only runs of the game in the bottom of the first inning. Alyssa Flores picked up an RBI on a fielder's choice that scored Cassandra Valdez. Ava Hernandez walked, and Emilia Salinas scored on a wild pitch on the fourth ball. Hernandez was picked off at first base following her at-bat, but it allowed Salinas to steal home for the third run. Kristee Salas followed with an infield single that brought home Grace Ross. The rest of the game was scoreless, and the Saints won 4-0 backed by seven hits. Valdez pitched a complete game gem allowing only one hit with nine strikeouts. Both squads left four runners on base. Ross and Kayla Dreese had a multi-hit game.

Hear from Head Coach Bruce Lenington and Cassandra Valdez.

Up next

The Saints face No. 2 seed HIU in the semifinals tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. The tournament is being hosted by OLLU at St. Mary's University.