Lady Owls NAIA national runners

Courtesy of Matthew Hicks, MSH Visual.

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Oregon Tech's run through the elimination bracket finished two wins shy of a national title, as Southern Oregon used a pair of key home runs and stellar pitching to claim an 11-0 victory in the championship game of the NAIA Softball World Series at South Commons Softball Complex.

Senior Cayla Williams tossed her second shutout of the tournament against the Lady Owls (54-10), working around five singles – earning tournament MVP honors – benefiting from big blasts from Ashton Cathey and Riley Donovan in the victory.

It was the second time in three seasons that the Raiders (50-12) topped Tech in the title tilt – capping a perfect run through the World Series, outscoring opponents 35-2.

OIT trailed 5-0 before they took their first swings – as the Raiders loaded the bases on an error, a bunt single and a walk – with Williams delivering the first run of the game with a ground out. Cathey followed, hitting the first pitch she saw deep over the center field wall for a 3-run shot.

The Tech offense, which scored 11 runs in two wins yesterday, was limited for the second time in the tournament by Williams. The Owls had runners at first-and-second in the second and fifth innings, putting runners at first-and-third in the fourth, but could not deliver a run.

SOU put the game away in the fifth, loading the bases with two outs – with Deja Acosta lining a 2-strike pitch into right, plating a pair to extend the lead to 7-0. Following an error, Donovan capped the Raiders title run with a grand slam – breaking the World Series record for RBI in a tournament with 11.

The loss was a blip on the radar of a remarkable season for the Lady Owls, as Tech established a new school record with 54 victories – with senior Maggie Buckholz and junior Kaila Mick each earning All-World Series Tournament Team honors.

The Owls became the first team in Cascade Conference history to win 29 league contests, secured their second-straight regular-season conference title, won their third-straight CCC Tournament title and advanced to their fourth-straight World Series.

The game marked the end of the careers of three OIT seniors – Buckholz, Jensen Becker and Maddie DeVerna – while 14 players, including seven everyday starters and the entire pitching staff, will return for 2024.