CLINTON, Mississippi - The Lady Bengals have a flair for the dramatic.
For the second game in a row LSU Eunice won with a walk off, this time a two-run home run by Jordan Hartman as the Lady Bengals earned a 4-2 win over Region 23 rival Jones County Junior College in the semifinals of the
the NJCAA Division II softball World Series.
LSU Eunice advanced to Saturday's 1:30 p.m. championship game againt either Phoenix College, Kankakee Community College or Jones County Junior College.
After tying the game in the sixth and playing strong defense behind Lady Bengal pitcher Abigail Leonards, the game turned on a controversial call.
Jeanmarie Angelle singled before Jessica Thomas laid down what appeared to be a perfect bunt but was called out for ruuner's interference.
LSUE head coach Andy Lee argued the call and was ejected from the game while Jordan Hartman watched from the batter's circle.
Hartman calmly blasted a home run over the centerfield fence to send the Lady Bengals to their sixth championship game.
Hartman also homered earlier in the day in the Lady Bengals' 3-2 win over Labette Community College after only hitting two home runs all season.
Hartman entered the game against Des Moines Area Community College after designated player Thomas was injured and promptly ripped a two-run home to seal a 10-1 win.
"I wanted it for us," the Lady Bengal sophomore said. "No many people thought we could do this, but it is a great feeling to take our team to the championship game."
Jones scored first in the top of the second when Autumn Frost advanced with a triple and scored on a hir by Rachel Hayes.
Ashley Valentine homered in the top of the fith frame to give Jones a 2-0 advantage.
The Lady Bengals tied the game with back-to-back home runs by Rebecca Skains (West Ouachita) and Bobbi Smith (West Ouachita).
Abigail Leonards (Iota) earned the complete-game victory as she struck out two, walked one and allowed two runs on six hits.
"I kept my curves balls low after they got those hits early in the game," Leonards said. "I stayed calm and I knew the defense would make the plays behind me.
"I just knew the offense was going to come back and win the game," she said. "It is huge to get to the championship game."
Skains went 3-for-3 with a RBI as the Lady Bengals finished with six hits including three home runs.
