YOUNGSVILLE, La. – The Indians were left out of the NJCAA's preseason rankings but reminded everyone they still belong among the nation's top teams after picking up a 4-3 win over No. 9 LSU-Eunice in walk-off fashion on Friday.
Sarah Kate Thompson (Myrtle) represented the tying run after reaching on a one-out double in the bottom of the seventh. Sammie Day-Jones (Ragland, Ala.) drew a walk to put the potential game-winning run on first base.
Riley Tyree (Trussville, Ala.) reached after a throwing error by the shortstop that allowed Thompson to score from second to tie the game, 3-3, and Day-Jones to advance to third with one out in the inning.
Eunice (1-1) settled down to pick up the second out on a strikeout and looked to escape the rally and head to extra innings.
Instead, Haylee Alberson (Hernando) dropped a base hit in front of a diving center fielder that allowed Day-Jones to easily score from third to give Coach Kelly Beth Ernest her first collegiate win in dramatic fashion.
The Indians (1-0) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Rayne Rippee (Sardis) drilled a two-run home to center for the first hit of the season. The Tigers rallied with three runs in the third to take a 3-2 advantage.
Thompson went 2-for-3 with a walk, double, steal and run scored. Rippee finished 2-for-3 with a walk, home run, double, run, and two RBI.
Emily Robinson (Springville, Ala.) went the distance in the circle for the Indians. She gave up three runs, one earned, on eight hits and four walks while striking out five for her first win of the season.
Follow ICC Athletics: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram