LSU Eunice celebrates following its National Championship victory
May 17, Waubonsee Community College – W, 7-4
The Bengals jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead and never looked back in a World Series-opening win over Waubonsee, 7-4.
Jordan Bishop’s RBI single and Jeannemarie Angelle’s two-run home run provided the opening blows and a 3-0 advantage. Bobbi Smith and Hannah Vidalier each blasted home runs an inning later to pad LSUE’s lead.
Vidalier hit two runs on the game including a sixth inning solo shot to end the Bengals scoring.
Abigail Leonards earned the win for LSUE after throwing a complete game while allowing four runs, nine hits and striking out eight batters.
May 18, Des Moines Area Community College – W, 3-2
The first instance of late-game magic during the week came against Des Moines. Mima Doucet’s two-run single in the sixth inning was just enough in a 3-2 nailbiter. LSUE’s explosive offensive was held in check for half the game, trailing 2-0 entering the fifth inning.
Rebecca Skains’ 37
th career long ball helped break up the goose-egg with a solo blast.
Elizabeth Fontenot earned the win after throwing six innings and striking out a pair. Abigail Leonards came in relief to preserve the tight victory.
Pitcher of the Tournament Abigail Leonards
May 19, Johnson County Community College – W, 12-2
The Bengals cruised 12-2 in the quarterfinals after racing out to nine quick runs in the first two innings. Jeannemarie Angelle got the party started with a bases clearing double in the first inning followed by a Haley Godeaux RBI single.
Rebecca Skains hit the first of two home runs in the game during a five-run second inning. Her second home run was a three-run blast in the fourth to up LSUE’s lead to 12-1.
Abigail Leonards earned the win after throwing all five innings, surrendering two runs, four hits with a walk and strikeout.
All-Tournament member Molly Smith
May 19, Phoenix College – W, 10-9
Molly Wilson’s walk-off solo home run capped off a wild shootout against Phoenix College with a 10-9 to advance to the national championship. Wilson and the Bengals jumped out to a 6-0 lead through three innings but had to hold off a frantic rally by Phoenix.
Phoenix scored four runs in the top of the seventh to send the game to the bottom half of the inning.
After the early offensive onslaught, LSUE used back-to-back home runs by Emily Henderson and Jordan Bishop to push their lead to 9-5 heading into the seventh.
Tournament MVP Rebecca Skains hits HR vs. Phoenix
Emily Henderson scores game winning run
against Jones County in Championship.
May 20, Jones County Junior College – W, 8-7
The Bengals captured the program’s 5
th national championship in arguably the most dramatic game in school history. LSUE’s Haley Godeaux scored Emily Henderson on a squeeze bunt to take down Region 23 rival Jones County, 8-7. The two teams traded blows early with LSUE taking a 4-3 lead after four innings. Jones County punched back with a three-run fifth to go ahead, 6-4.
Bobbi Smith started the late-game heroics by reaching on a sixth inning error and scoring off Molly Wilson’s single to close the game to 7-6. Abby Trahan tied the game in the 7
th inning off a wild pitch which led to Godeaux’s squeeze.
Rebecca Skains led the Bengals offensively with two home runs and three RBIs. Hannah Vidalier earned the win in the circle, pitching three innings while allowing one run off two hits and one walk.
Tournament Awards
Most Valuable Player/Most Outstanding Offensive Player – Rebecca Skains
Most Outstanding Pitcher – Abigail Leonards
All-Tournament Team – Abigail Leonards, Bobbi Smith, Jeannemarie Angelle and Molly Wilson
Coach of the Tournament – Andy Lee
