OLLU wins in 10 innings against Indiana Wesleyan, faces Southeastern to advance

COLUMBUS, Ga. (May 27, 2026) – A 10-inning 1-0 battle between Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas) and Indiana Wesleyan University ended with a bunt from Lilly Rocha to score Arianna Alejandro for the 2-1 victory and the opportunity to advance to the 18th game of the 45th Annual NAIA Softball National Championship World Series.

 

 

Fifth-ranked OLLU (47-12) and eighth-ranked IW began their game yesterday, but after four scoreless innings, inclement weather forced a postponement to Wednesday. The Wildcats end their season with a 43-14 record.

 

The pitching duel between OLLU's Valeria Vielma and IW's Avery Toole (22-5) took their teams to the fourth inning before a run was scored, and only two hits had been recorded. Today, IW's Brylee Bilger broke the dry spell after doubling to right to score Courtney Thomas in the fifth.

 

Annikia Littero subbed into the game for OLLU starting pitcher Valeria Vielma in the seventh. Marisa Rosales flied out to centerfield for a sacrifice fly that scored Ayana Trejo to tie the score at 1-1. The score remained tied at the end of regulation.

Many chances surfaced for both teams, but none resulted in a run. In the eighth, the Wildcats stranded three on two hits, while in the ninth, OLLU loaded the bases but was not able to capitalize. Finally, in the 10th, Alejandro reached base on a four-pitch walk, followed by Brianna Ramirez, whose hit sent Alejandro to third. After a pitching change for IW, Rocha came up to walk off on a bunt on the first pitch, and Alejandro scored the winning run.    

 

Litterio (30-9) earned the win after pitching four innings. Alejandro, Rocha, Ramirez, Trejo, Rosales, Novalee Gloria, and Guzman had one hit apiece, while Rosales and Rocha had an RBI. Both Trejo and Emilia Salinas stole bases.

 

The Wildcats were led by Madisyn Tharpe, who went 3-for-4.

 

 

 

The Saints have an edge over the Fire among all schools in the NAIA: third in doubles; fifth in on-base percentage; eighth in wins; ninth in runs and fielding percentage; 10th in RBIs; 12th in hits; 13th in batting average; 15th in slugging percentage; 19th in strikeouts and ERA; and 20th in at-bats.

 

The Fire are first in ERA, fourth in wins, fifth in saves, 13th in strikeouts (pitcher), and 19th in putouts.

 

 

	Avg.	At-Bats	Runs	Hits	2B	3B	HR	RBIs	SLG%	OB%	SB	PO	A	FLD%
OLLU	.349	1520	392	531	118	16	30	353	.507	.434	55	1079	297	.972
SEU	.329	1386	303	456	72	6	26	262	.446	.398	107	1089	353	.964

 

 

	ERA	W-L	SHO	Saves	IP	ER	Ks
OLLU	2.53	47-12	10	2	359.2	130	289
SEU	1.22	47-9	23	7	363.0	63	321

 

 

The Saints are led by centerfielder Arianna Alejandro, who tops the team with 168 at-bats, 64 runs, 71 hits, 18 doubles, seven triples, 39 RBIs, 15-of-15 stolen bases, a .423 batting average, a .517 on-base percentage, and 109 total bases.

 

The Fire are led by Raylei McKinney, who has a batting average of .462, 173 at-bats, 80 hits, 20 doubles, 13 home runs,65 RBIs, 139 total bases, .803 slugging percentage, and 28-of-28 stolen bases.

 

SEU is led by Head Coach Kayla Watkins.