Top-ranked Lady Bengals defeat Division 1 No. 1 Wallace State for Leadoff Classic title
The LSU Eunice softball team defeated fellow 2013 NJCAA National Champion Wallace State 6-4 in extra innings to win the 2014 NFCA Leadoff Classic on Sunday afternoon.
The Lady Bengals (20-1, ranked No. 1 in NJCAA Division II poll) plated three runs in the top of the eighth inning against Wallace State (ranked No. 1 in NJCAA Division I poll) to complete the tournament with a victory, finishing the three day event 5-1 overall.
"You couldn't draw it up more perfect for the tournament to have the No. 1 teams meet in the championship game. It was a great battle. You can see why they won the national championship last year. I am excited the girls fought through it and had a big last inning," head coach Andy Lee said.
"This is one of the best junior college tournaments in the nation. I learned that my team can battle. My pitchers competed well, our hitters had big hits…it's a great confidence builder. We will work towards this and build on this the rest of the season."
In the championship game, Wallace State struck first with a solo home run in the bottom of the opening frame before LSU Eunice tied the game in the third inning when Codi Covington sent a line drive home run over the wall down the left field wall and took the lead on an RBI single from Ashley Subervielle later in the inning.
Wallace State regained the lead in the bottom of the third with a two-run homer, and that score would stand until the top of the sixth, when Dani Cruickshank delivered a two-out RBI single back up the middle to tie the game.
In extra innings, LSU Eunice took the lead via a Wallace State wild pitch in the top of the eighth inning before Cruickshank added to the advantage with a sacrifice fly and Morgan Tauzin collected an RBI double to push the lead to six.
Destin Vicknair allowed one run to Wallace State before stranding two runners on base to close out the win.
Vicknair finished 3-for-3 at the plate, scoring two runs with a double, while Covington, Subervielle, Cruickshank, Tauzin and Taylor Boulet all finished with one hit.
In the circle, Vicknair allowed five hits and three runs while walking two and striking out three in the eight inning complete game.
The morning game saw Subervielle drive a two-run homer down the right field line to break a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning before Covington's solo homer extended the lead in the fifth.
LSU Eunice added four runs in the seventh via RBI singles from Clark and Cole and a two-run single by Vicknair.
Raven Cole earned the win with the complete game six-hit shutout, allowing just one walk and six strikeouts.
The Lady Bengals now regroup before traveling to Niceville, Fl. to compete in the Northwest Florida Tournament, where they will play seven games in three days.
