Waxahachie, TX | March 21, 2026 — With alumni lining the fences and the Lions Athletic Complex buzzing with pride, the Nelson University Lady Lions delivered a resilient response on Saturday, splitting a hard-fought SAC doubleheader against Wayland Baptist in a day filled with late-game drama.
Game 1
The tone of the day was set early, this one was going to be a battle.
Behind a complete-game performance in the circle, Elena Mendez was dominant, going all seven innings while scattering nine hits and allowing just one run. She stayed poised in key moments, working out of traffic and keeping the Pioneers from delivering the big inning.
Offensively, Nelson struck with timely execution.
Layla Oliver sparked the breakthrough in the third inning, ripping an RBI double to bring home Mendez and give the Lady Lions the early edge. Later, in a tied 1–1 game, Nelson manufactured the difference in the sixth inning capitalizing on pressure and discipline at the plate as Avery Coleman delivered a sacrifice fly that plated the go-ahead run. It wasn't flashy, for it was tough, gritty softball.
And when the final out settled into a glove, the Lady Lions secured a 2–1 win, fueled by pitching, execution, and composure.
Game 2
Game two turned into an all-out offensive showcase and one of the most electric finishes of the season.
Nelson wasted no time igniting the offense. After pushing a run across in the first, the Lady Lions erupted for five runs in the second inning, stringing together quality at-bats, aggressive baserunning, and timely hitting to seize control of the game.
The lineup was relentless. Layla Oliver led the charge with three hits and two RBIs, while Elena Mendez reached base consistently and added two runs scored. Ava Fernandez delivered a key two-RBI knock, and Marcella Bryan set the tone with a three-hit, three-run performance that kept the pressure on all game long.
But Wayland Baptist refused to go quietly.
After chipping away throughout the middle innings, the Pioneers exploded for four runs in the top of the seventh to take a stunning 8–7 lead, momentarily flipping the momentum and silencing the home crowd.
Then came the response.
With their backs against the wall, the Lady Lions answered in true Nelson fashion. K'Leigh Williams sparked the rally with a clutch double, and moments later, Layla Oliver delivered again driving in the tying run. With the bases loaded and tension at its peak, Trista Ford stepped in and delivered the walk-off moment, as Nelson pushed across the winning run to complete a dramatic 9–8 comeback victory.
Next Up
The Lady Lions will look to carry that momentum forward as conference play continues:
- March 27 (Friday)
- 2:00 PM (Doubleheader)
- Oklahoma City University
- Lions Athletic Complex | Waxahachie, TX
Nelson University (formerly SA GU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.
