COLUMBUS, Ga. – For the second-straight year at the NAIA Softball World Series, Oregon Tech will have to traverse three elimination games to reach the national title contest. Top-ranked Our Lady of the Lake rode a 10-strikeout performance by All-American Cassie Valdez to a 3-0 victory over the Lady Owls to advance to the winners' bracket final.
 
OIT (48-11) was limited to four hits and did not get a runner to third base in their second shutout loss of the season.
 
The 3-time Red River Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year and Division I transfer from Texas State used a mix of rise balls and change ups to keep the dangerous Lady Owls lineup off balance. Tech put runners at first-and-second in the first and sixth innings, but Valdez got a pair of pop ups to end both threats. 
 
The Saints (55-3) took advantage of a pair of OIT errors in the first inning to plate three unearned runs. With Valdez at second and one out, a routine ground ball was bobbled, allowing Natalie Rodriguez to reach. Alyssa Flores followed with a ground out to second, plating Valdez to make it 1-0. Kayla Dreese added a run scoring single, with another run scoring on a defensive misplay by the Owls.
 
Kacie Schmidt was outstanding in the circle for the Owls in a losing effort – holding OLLU to a season-low three hits, walking four and striking out two. Puakea Milbourne continued a big World Series, going 2-for-2 with a walk – as the sophomore has reached base in all six at bats in the tournament.
 
OIT will meet the University of the Cumberlands for the second time in the tournament on Memorial Day at 10 a.m. in an elimination game. The game will be carried live in the Klamath Basin on 104.3 and 960 Sports.