Tom Dodge
In a repeat of last year, the LSUE Lady Bengals finished second in Region 23 tournament but then grabbed the NJCAA Division II national championship over Jones County Junior College.
Stormy weather prevented the two teams from playing for the Region 23 title, so No. 1 JCJC entered the national tournament as the higher seeded team.
The No. 4 Lady Bengals responded with a 5-0 run through the world series including a walk-off 8-7 win over Jones to earn its fifth title in program history.
Three Lady Bengals were named to the All-Region 23 team including sophomore infielders Rebecca Skains and Molly Wilson along with freshman outfielder Emily Henderson.
Skains finished the season with a .420 batting average including 79 hits, 16 home runs, 73 RBI, 65 run scored, 24 walks and a program record 27 doubles.
Wilson hit .431 with 75 hits, 56 runs scored, 65 RBI, 19 doubles, five triples, seven home runs, 17 walks and 10 stolen bases.
Henderson hit. 375 with 24 walks, 50 RBI, a team-leading 18 home runs as well as six triples, 60 hits and 63 runs scored.
Jones County had five players selected All-Region including pitcher Karli Perque, catcher Autumn Frost, infielders Kelly Byrd and Brittany Baty along with utility player Cori McCray.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed three on the All-Region team including catcher Izzy Werden, pitcher Nora Keen and utility player Lexie Mathis.
East Central Mississippi Community College pitcher Kaitlyn Oswalt and shortstop Kayla Becham earned All-Region 23 honors.
Itawamba Community College third baseman Mamie Hollenhead and second baseman Alex Brown also earned all-region recognition.
Copiah-Lincoln Community College catcher Kamryn Vanlandingham was also named to the All-Region 23 team.