Softball Held Seventh Annual Alumni Game and Presented the Conference Championship Rings
Click here to view photos from the day.
SAN ANTONIO (Oct. 24, 2022) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) held its Seventh Annual Softball Alumni Game between the current team and alumni from 2009 through 2022. After the game, the 2022 squad received their Red River Athletic Conference Championship rings.
The scrimmage game unofficially saw the Saints team win 4-1. Ariel Montgomery hit the game's only home run. After the ring presentation and OLLU Softball Hall of Fame Ceremony, the alumni and families were treated to a luncheon inside the Sister Jane Ann Slater Apartments.
Ring Presentation
The Saints won the conference regular season after a best-ever 46-13 record and 23-5 in conference. The Saints went on to compete at the NAIA National Tournament in Gulf Shores, Ala., where they won two out of four games – the best finish for any softball team in school history. The Saints are the only team in Texas to be currently ranked nationally in the NAIA at No. 15.
Before the presentations, OLLU Presdent Dr. Abel Antonio Chávez, PhD, congratulated the team and said a few words. Also presenting the rings were Athletic Director Shane Hurley and Women's Athletic Administrator Haley Holzem.
Receiving rings were support staff, Allie Gonzalez, Julianna Alvarado, Alexis Valdez, Ysa Gonzales and Gilbert Alvarado.
Team members were called and their accomplishments were highlighted:
- Marissa Bradley – Conference Scholar-Athlete, Perfect Fielding Percentage
- Jennifer Estrada - NAIA Scholar-Athlete
- Taylor Gage - Conference Scholar-Athlete, Perfect Fielding Percentage
- Eneli Garza - Conference Scholar-Athlete
- Hannah Garza - Conference Scholar-Athlete, Perfect Fielding Percentage
- Kaili Luna - Conference Scholar-Athlete, Perfect Fielding Percentage
- Julissa Moreno – All-Tournament, Conference Scholar-Athlete
- Angela Ramirez – All-Tournament, Conference Scholar-Athlete
- Kelly Anne Salinas - Conference Scholar-Athlete
- Deandra Vera – Perfect Fielding Percentage
- Rebecca Duran – Conference Newcomer of the Year
- Katelyn Esparza – NAIA Scholar-Athlete, Conference Champions of Character, Character Athlete of the Year
- Kristee Salas - Conference Scholar-Athlete, Most RBIs in a Game with 8, Hit for the Cycle
- Ciera Martinez – All-Time Shutouts Leader with 17, All-Time Strikeouts Leader with 524, Perfect Fielding Percentage
- Caitlin Terrazas - All-Conference Second Team, Conference Scholar-Athlete, Most Games Played in a Season with 59
- Joanna Gonzalez - All-Conference First Team, Conference Scholar-Athlete
- Madison Nunn - All-Conference First Team, Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Conference Scholar-Athlete, All-Time Stolen Bases Leader, Most Stolen Bases in a Season with 39, Most Stolen Bases in a Game with 4
- Ariel Montgomery - NAIA Scholar-Athlete, All-Conference First Team, Conference Scholar-Athlete, All-Time Home Run Leader with 24, Most Home Runs in a Season with 12, Most RBIs in a Season with 52
- Kayla Dreese CoSIDA Academic All-American, NAIA Scholar-Athlete, All-Conference First Team, All-Tournament, OLLU Big Blue Top Saint Female Athlete of the Year
- Cassandra Valdez – NAIA All-American Honorable Mention, All-Conference First Team, All-Tournament, Conference Player of the Year, Conference Pitcher of the Year, Conference Scholar-Athlete, All-Time ERA Leader at 1.79, Most Games Played as a Pitcher in a Season with 40, Most Innings Pitched in a Season with 203.2
Also receiving rings were Assistant Coaches Jody Armijo, Katrisha Arocha – Hall of Fame Class of 2021, Nicholas Espinoza and Ashley Lenington.
Head Coach Bruce Lenington, the 2022 Conference Coach of the Year, said a few words and presented rings to three additional people: his wife Paula, who has assisted with the team at every game, trip and practice; former Assistant Coach Eloy Pacheco; groundskeeper and longtime facilities staff member Mateo Gonzalez, who maintains the field and area; and Sports Information Director Patty Constantin.
The university congratulates the team and the Saints accomplishments during this historic year. Their legacy will last a lifetime.