The Region X Champion and nationally 2nd ranked Louisburg College Softball team traveled to Leesburg, FL to win over Lake-Sumter State College in walk off fashion in extra innings on a Darrah Nickens homerun.

In Game 1 on Friday Louisburg won 9-1 in run rule fashion.

Zoey Jones started in the circle for the Hurricanes going 4 innings. She gave up 4 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk, and 1 strikeout. Riley Lingerfelt got the save after going 2 innings and giving up no hits, no runs, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts.

"Zoey gave us a chance on a day that she didn't have her best stuff," said Louisburg Coach Eric Lee. "Riley came in and just slammed the door shut, leaving no hope because of how well she was throwing."

Lake-Sumter's Ali Shenefield struck out 6 of the first 8 Louisburg batters then Kasey Lee opened the scoring for the Hurricanes with her solo blast to tie the game at 1 in the top of the third. Brianna Tucker was 2-3, with a walk and a grandslam. It was her nation leading 44th home run and nation leading 104th RBI of the year. Edi Austin was 2-3 with 2 runs scored. Kennedy Byrd added a solo home run with two walks and 2 runs scored.

Coach Lee commented, "Ali Shenefield caught our offense off guard and dominated the first time through the lineup. Kasey Lee provided the spark that we desperately needed when things were starting to look bleak. Our team did a good job jumping on Kasey's back and competing."

In Game 2 Lake-Sumter State College won 4-2.

"Our top four hitters in the order went 0-10, but they only had one strikeout," said Coach Lee. "I think it was a product of each of them individually trying to do too much, instead of playing team offense."

There was a lengthy weather delay between the 6th and 7th inning. Nickens doubled to lead off and it looked like the Hurricanes were going to have some momentum. Kylie Gilmour got thrown out on a bang bang play at first base to quickly squash the rally.

Darrah Nickens went 2-3 with 2 doubles. Kasey Lee added another solo home run. Edi Austin also had a solo home run.

In the circle Kennedy Byrd went 6 innings. She gave up 3 earned runs on 6 hits with 2 strikeouts. Riley Lingerfelt threw the last inning and allowed her lone hit of the day.

"Kennedy Byrd did a nice job of competing. She was clearly tired and the weather was playing a huge role, but she didn't make it an excuse and gave us an opportunity to win."

The teams took the field Saturday at noon for Game 3 when Louisburg won 6-5 in extra innings.

Lake-Sumter opened the scoring in the first on a fielder's choice. In the Hurricanes half of the inning, the first two batters reached. Taylor McQueen smoked a ball into the third baseman's glove who immediately doubled off Tucker at second, ending the threat.

"Through the first three innings we hit everything on the nose just right at somebody. I just kept telling the girls to keep swinging because they'll eventually fall," said Coach Lee.

In the top of the fourth Lake-Sumter hit a solo home run to make their lead 2-0. McQueen answered back in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run of her own. Next the Lake Hawks went 1,2,3 in top of fifth. On the first pitch of the bottom of the inning, Kaylee Oliver–making her first start at DP all season–sent a no-doubter over the center field fence and the Hurricane rally was on. Kasey Lee doubled, Tucker was hit by a pitch, and Ottaly walked. Lee was picked off, but McQueen had a bases clearing double to make the score 4-2. Kennedy Byrd flied out to right field and McQueen advanced on the play. The throw got away from the third baseman and McQueen scored.

The Lake Hawks didn't go quietly as they answered with a 2-run home run of their own in the top of the sixth inning to make the score 5-4. Kylie Gilmour singled in the bottom of the sixth, but the Hurricanes could not do anything with it. On the second pitch of the seventh inning, Lake-Sumter hit a solo home run to tie the game.

"Game three was an absolute roller coaster of emotions for our team, but I thought they did a really nice job of continuing to perform at a high level," said Coach Lee.

Darrah Nickens took the first pitch she saw in the bottom of the 8th inning over the right field wall to punch the Hurricanes' ticket to Spartanburg and the NJCAA Softball World Series.

Zoey Jones and Riley Lingerfelt both went 4 innings in the circle for the Hurricanes. Jones started and allowed 2 earned runs on 3 hits and 3 strikeouts. Lingerfelt came in and gave up 3 earned runs on 3 hits, striking out 2. Lingerfelt got the win.

There will be a selection show Friday on the NJCAA Network to determine seeding for the NJCAA Softball World Series. Play will open on Tuesday, May 23 at Tyger River Park in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

"Our team was challenged this weekend both on the field and off the field," said Coach Lee. "While we may be inexperienced, this weekend showed that we have what it takes to compete at the highest level against the best teams in the country."