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OLLU Softball Dominates Opening Round, Clinches World Series Berth
Posted: May 15, 2026

OLLU Softball Dominates Opening Round, Clinches World Series Berth

WACO, Texas (May 14, 2026) – Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas) has done it again, capturing the NAIA Opening Round Championship for the third time in just four years. The Saints triumphed over the Oregon Institute of Technology on Wednesday to secure a spot in the finals with a thrilling 8-5 victory over the Owls. With OLLU at 3-1 and OIT at 2-1, the stage was set for a dramatic "if necessary" game, where the Saints delivered a 5-3 win, punching their ticket to the 45th Annual NAIA Softball National Championship World Series.

The Red River Athletic Conference sent three teams to the NAIA Opening Round this season: LSU Alexandria (3-2), OLLU (4-1), and Texas A&M-Texarkana (1-2).

History
 
The Saints first earned a berth in the World Series in 2023 after winning the Opening Round trophy. The Saints hosted the tournament and finished with a 4-1 record. OLLU went on to lose both of its World Series games, ending its season with an overall record of 51-8 (28-0 in RRAC).
 
The following season brought another wave of excitement as the Saints, once again hosting, swept the Opening Round Championship with a 3-0 record, earning a return to the World Series. This time, the Saints brought home their first National Championship with a perfect 4-0 run, outscoring opponents 12-3.
 
However, their run was briefly halted last year, when OLLU ended its season in the Opening Round after losing to Eastern Oregon in the Championship match.
Series recap
 
The second-seed Saints, led by Interim Head Coach Amanda Davila, opened the Klamath Falls, Ore., bracket of the Opening Round on May 11 with a 13-7 win over third-seed St. Thomas (Fla.).
 
On May 12, OLLU fell to top-seed OIT 2-1. The next day, the Saints secured a grueling 9-8, 13-inning victory over fifth-seed Dickinson State (N.D.). OLLU remained on the field for a subsequent matchup against OIT, where the Saints prevailed 8-5.
 
With OLLU and OIT each poised with only one loss, the "if necessary" Championship Match awaited the next day.
 
The Owls added the first run in the first inning when Sawyer Stenson singled, and Nita Cook came home. OLLU followed with a sac fly from Caitlin Casas, sending Arianna Alejandro home. Reanna Aguirre, now at third, came home on a passed ball to give the Saints the 2-1 lead.
 
In the second inning, Yezenia Perez's sac bunt scored Marisa Rosales, and the Saints increased their lead to 3-1. Cook scored at the top of the third after a sac fly from Addison Kachnik, and OIT still trailed 3-2.
 
Tania Rodriguez scored her second career home run to begin the fourth inning. A single from Marina Litterio sent Novalee Gloria home to give the Saints the 5-2 lead. OIT added its third run in the fifth inning after Hayden Rockwell scored on a fielding error.
 
The Saints held strong in the final moments, shutting out the Owls through scoreless sixth and seventh innings to celebrate a commanding 5-3 victory.
 
Rodriguez starred offensively in the game, going 2-for-3, including a home run. Gloria also impressed with a 2-for-3 effort and a run, while Perez contributed two clutch sac bunts.
 
Valeria Vielma (13-3) shone in the circle, clinching the win after pitching four strong innings and striking out two.
Series Leaders
 
The following players were the Saints' top performers in the Opening Round series:
  • Arianna Alejandro: 9-for-23, 6 runs, 3B, 3 RBIs, SB
  • Reanna Aguirre: 8-for-22, 5 runs, 2 2Bs, 3 RBIs
  • Lilly Rocha: 8-for-20, 6 runs, 4 home runs, 8 RBIs
  • Caitlin Casas: 8-for-18, 4 runs, 4 2Bs, RBI
  • Yezenia Perez: 8-for-16, 4 runs, home run, 5 RBIs
  • Tania Rodriguez: 7-for-18, 2 runs, home run, 2 RBIs
  • Valeria Vielma: 3 wins, 5 Ks, 12 IP
  • Annika Litterio: 1 win-1 loss, 11 Ks, 15 IP

What's next

The Saints will await their opponent in the World Series that will take place May 21-27 at the South Commons Complex in Columbus, Ga.