Trojans Prepared for 2023 NAIA Opening Round
UPLAND, Ind. – Taylor Softball is set to make its fifth appearance in the NAIA Opening Round in San Antonio, Texas, beginning on May 15th.
Taylor heads into the NAIA Opening Round with momentum after a run through the Crossroads League Tournament led them to the Championship game and an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament.
The Trojans have a 3-8 overall record in the NAIA Opening Round, winning one game in each of their first three appearances.
Taylor had an up-and-down season as they incorporated 11 freshmen into the squad. Those freshmen continued to grow throughout the season, as the team played its ball of the season during the final weeks.
During the season, TU faced off with six teams that made the NAIA National Tournament recording victories over No. 24 Cumberlands, No. 16 Indiana Wesleyan, and Indiana Southeast.
Livie Lehmann leads the offensive attack, ripping 22 doubles and eight home runs in a historic freshman season for Taylor. Lehmann's two-baggers led the team as the Trojans clobbered 100 as a team, which ranked in the top ten in the NAIA. Mackenzie Noah (13-10) was the stalwart inside the circle, leading the team in innings pitched, earned run average, and complete games as she continued to improve in her sophomore year.
No. 2 Our Lady of the Lake (47-5) is the No. 1 seed in the bracket and sports the most wins in the NAIA with 47. The Saints have a powerful offense, as they lead the NAIA with 69 home runs, which is 21 more than second place, and are also in the top ten with 100 doubles.
OLLU is making its third appearance in the NAIA Opening Rounds after placing at the top of the RRAC in the regular season and tournament.
No. 23 Hope International (39-14), the No. 2 seed in the bracket. Hope is led inside the circle by Allie Puente, who leads the NAIA in innings pitched, strikeouts, and wins. Puente pitched in 42 of the teams' 53 games, including 29 starts en route to a 0.54 ERA.
The Royals are making their seventh appearance in the NAIA Opening Round, this year as one of seven at-large teams. At the plate, HIU is led by Puente's older sister Emily, who leads the team in home runs, walks, runs-batted-in, and slugging percentage.
No. 19 Campbellsville (31-15-2) is another ranked opponent in the bracket. The Tigers are making their eighth appearance in the Opening Round, this year by way of being the Mid-South Tournament runner-up. Campbellsville has a solid lineup with five batters sporting batting averages over .335 and 11 different players launching a home run.
The Tigers' pitching staff does not focus on strikeouts but has had success, nonetheless, allowing under three runs per game.
Taylor will play its first game against No. Our Lady of the Lake Monday, May 15th, at 2:00 pm, while the other side of the bracket will see Hope International face Campbellsville on the same day at noon.
Ticket prices for the tournament are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors ages 65 and over for a single-day pass. Children ages 11-and-under will be free. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.ollusaintsathletics.com/sports/sball/2022-23/files/Purchase_Game-Day_Tickets.