OLLU will battle College of Idaho in the NAIA Softball World Series on Sunday

COLUMBUS, Ga. (May 23, 2026) – Due to severe weather, the schedule for the 45th Annual NAIA Softball National Championship World Series was adjusted, with some games pushed to Saturday and Sunday. Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas) was originally slated to play today, but its game was rescheduled to Sunday. The Saints will now face the College of Idaho at 1:30 p.m. in the 10th game of the series.

Fifth-ranked OLLU lost its first game to fourth-ranked Mobile (Ala.) on Thursday 9-1, and defeated ninth-ranked Marian (Ind.) on Friday 10-2. The seventh-ranked Yotes won their first game on Thursday against 10th-ranked British Columbia, 4-3, and lost to second-ranked Southeastern (Fla.) today, 3-1.

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As the teams gear up for the game, the Yotes have a slight edge in most statistical categories. Among all NAIA teams, the Saints are ninth in batting average; fifth in on-base percentage and doubles; 11th in slugging percentage, runs, and wins; 12th in RBIs and fielding percentage; 17th in wins; and 18th in hits.

The Yotes are third in at-bats and assists; fourth in putouts and innings pitched; fifth in home runs; eighth in hits; 11th in RBIs; 12th in runs; 17th in slugging percentage; and 18th in doubles.

 

Offense and Defense

 

	Avg.	At-Bats	Runs	Hits	2B	3B	HR	RBIs	SLG%	OB%	SB	PO	A	FLD%
OLLU	.355	1433	383	508	114	16	30	344	.519	.439	51	1007	272	.971
COI	.332	1622	376	538	101	16	51	349	.508	.404	70	1174	518	.958

 

Pitching

 

	ERA	W-L	SHO	Saves	IP	ER	Ks
OLLU	2.69	40-12	8	2	335.2	129	278
COI	4.02	38-21	5	3	391.2	225	160

 

For the Saints, the primary pitchers, Annika Litterio and Valeria Vielma, have led the team's success. Litterio has earned a 27-9 record with 173 strikeouts, while Vielma is 13-3 with 105 strikeouts, each pitching over 140 innings with strong ERAs.

 

Offensively, the Saints are led by centerfielder Arianna Alejandro, who tops the team with 157 at-bats, 61 runs, 67 hits, 18 doubles, seven triples, 39 RBIs, 14-of-14 stolen bases, a .427 batting average, a .521 on-base percentage, 105 total bases, and 27 extra base hits.

Lilly Rocha's batting average is .396, and she has 139 at-bats, 55 hits, 39 RBIs, a .497 on-base percentage, a team-leading .669 slugging percentage, 11 doubles, nine home runs, and 20 extra-base hits.

Rightfielder Reanna Aguirre leads the Saints with 23 walks, 14 HBP, six sac hits, and is 7-for-7 on stolen bases. She has accumulated just one error this year. Marisa Rosales has 54 hits, and she leads the Saints with 43 RBIs, and she's second with six home runs. 

On defense, Alyssa Guzman leads the team with 229 putouts, and Novalee Gloria leads with 75 assists and five double plays. Players in more than 20 games with no errors are Ayanna Trejo, Emilia Salinas, Brianna Ramirez, and Marina Litterio.

The Saints are under the direction of interim Head Coach Amanda Davila.

 

 

Turning to the opponent, the College of Idaho has appeared in the NAIA National Championship Tournament nine times, including 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2026. The Yotes made five trips to the World Series: 2008, 2009, 2014, 2021, and 2026. Their highest finish was in 2021, when they placed third overall.

Leaders on offense include Kina Watts, who is batting a team-best 3.94, has 71 hits in 180 at-bats, and has tallied 51 RBIs, 31 walks, .489 on-base percentage, seven HBP, nine home runs, and 22 extra-base hits. She also leads with 61 runs, 113 total bases, and 132 assists. Madelyn Powell leads with 64 RBIs, a .708 slugging percentage, 21 doubles, 12 home runs, 34 extra-base hits, and 126 total bases.

Other standouts on defense include Lena Zahniser with 238-of-244 putouts, 12 double plays, and a .992 fielding percentage. Players with 20 or more games with no errors include Marti Anderson, Quincy Cronquist, and Alyssa Melendez.

Leaders in the circle are Drew Williams, who is 15-9 on the season with a 3.62 ERA, 41 appearances (32 as a starter), 162.1 innings pitched, and 76 strikeouts, and Kina Watts is 11-3 in 26 appearances (10 as a starter), 103.1 innings pitched, 34 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.57.

 

COI Head Coach Al Mendiola has led the team since 2006.

 

The winner of this game will play the loser of the 12th game between first-ranked Madonna (Mich.) and fourth-seed Mobile (Ala.) at 3 p.m. on Monday, May 25.

 

 

Fans can follow all the action from Columbus, Ga., daily through the presentation of the Red Banner on Wednesday, May 27, live and free worldwide on the NAIA Network and Urban Edge Network, along with access to the tournament schedule, ticket information, and bracket throughout the week.