Saints Begin Their Quest For A Bid to the World Series As They Host the Opening Round
SAN ANTONIO (May 9, 2023) – Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) is set to host the San Antonio Bracket of the 2023 NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round. The 10th annual event takes place May 15-17 at 10 host cities. The tournament will be held at St. Mary's University.
The NAIA Championship Opening Round includes a 40-team field with the champions from each of the 10 Opening Round tournaments around the nation will meet in the 42nd Annual NAIA Softball World Series that will be held at South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus, Ga.
Joining No. 1 seed OLLU are No. 2 seed Hope International University from Fullerton, Calif., Campbellsville University from Campbellsville, Ky. and No. 4 seed Taylor University from Upland, Ind.
The tournament schedule is as follows:
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GAME TIME |
GAME INFORMATION |
LIVE STATS |
LIVE-STREAMING |
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May 15 |
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STATS |
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Game One: 11 a.m. |
No. 2 Hope International vs. No. 3 Campbellsville |
STATS |
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Game Two: 1 p.m. |
No. 1 Our Lady of the Lake vs. No. 4 Taylor |
STATS |
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May 16 |
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Game Three: 11 a.m. |
Winner Game One vs. Winner Game Two |
STATS |
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Game Four: 1 p.m. |
Loser Game One vs. Loser Game Two |
STATS |
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Game Five: 3 p.m. |
Loser Game Three vs. Winner Game Four |
STATS |
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May 17 |
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Game Six: 11 a.m. |
Winner Game Three vs. Winner Game Five |
STATS |
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Game Seven: 1 p.m. |
Winner Game Six vs. Loser Game Six |
STATS |
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(If necessary) |
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The Saints (47-5) won the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) regular-season for the second consecutive year. The women also won this year's tournament after finishing in second last year. This will be the Saints third trip to the opening round of nationals. In 2022, the Saints came up short in the opening round after losing to Coastal Georgia 3-5. The team subsequently won the next two games – to Valley City State 4-1 and Coastal Georgia 2-1 – before losing to Mobile 5-3 to end their season. OLLU is No. 2 in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll.
Hope finished as the Golden State Athletic Conference regular-season champions. The Royals lost in the championship game of the postseason tournament and are now 39-14. The team is ranked No. 23 in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll.
Campbellsville finished second in the Mid-South Conference and is now 31-15-2 record. The Lady Tigers had a chance to win the postseason tournament, but the game was called due to weather. The team is ranked No. 19 in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll.
Taylor finished eighth in the Crossroads League and received an at-large bid to the opening round. The Trojans finished the season with a 26-30 record.
Visit OLLU's tournament page for updates and links to stats and streaming.