Five Lady Bengals receive World Series Awards

CLINTON, Mississippi – Lady Bengal freshman Rebecca Skains hit four home runs and drove in eight runs on 14 hits over five games with 12 RBI to help LSUE win the national title.
Skains was named both the tournament’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player and Most Valuable Player.
“I didn’t feel any pressure,” Skains said of her performance at the plate during the series. “I knew Darby (Bishop) was out and I knew I needed to step up because she is a bigger hitter we missed.
While the Lady Bengals exploded for 45 runs, LSUE held their opponents to 18 runs over the six games.
“Our offense we strong this week,” she added. “But defense wins national championships.”
LSUE freshman Abigail Leonards was named Oustanding Pitcher of the tournament as she pitched in all six games.
Leonards allowed 12 runs on 32 hits with seven walks and seven strikeouts.
“It is great to win the title,” Leonards said. “We knew we could do this.”
Andy Lee was named NJCAA Division II Coach of the Year.
“This team just perservered all year,” the coach said. “I didn’t think this team had the depth or the talent to do it, but they got better as the season went on.
“They fought and battled for each other,” Lee said. “There was great team chemistry that carried us all year.
“Maybe the sophomores had a chip on their shoulders after not making it last year as the number one team in the nation, but I think they really wanted to be here.
I am really so proud of them.”
Lady Bengals desginated player sophomore Jordan Hartman as well as freshman outfielder Bobbi Smith and freshman third baseman Molly Wilson were named the All-Tournament team.
Brittany Hay from Kakaee was named Most Outstanding Defensive Player, while Kelly Bryd from Jones County earned the Elite Hitter award.
Lee has led LSUE to four national titles and six world series appearances in eight seasons.
The Lady Bengals finished fifth in 2009 at Normal, Illinois during its first national tournament, but then returned to capture the 2011 title with a 10-0 win over Owens Community College.
When the tournament moved to Mississippi, LSUE finished as the 2012 national runners-up, falling to Phoenix (5-1, 2-1).
The Lady Bengals won the 2013 title, defeating Phoenix (6-1, 8-0).
LSUE repeated as 2014 champions as the Lady Bengals swept Jones County (5-1, 8-6) in the title games.