Lady ‘Runners Remain Perfect, Play for National Championship

There is only one team left that has a perfect record at the NJCAA World Series in Utah, and that team would be your Angelina College Lady Roadrunners.  Friday, the Lady 'Runners swept San Jacinto College and Central Florida for their 4th straight win without a loss. 

Gary Stallard, sports information director at the college reports that after drubbing San Jac 8-2 in the opening game, the Lady ‘Runners won a heart-stopper against Central Florida. With AC leading 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh, the Lady Patriots loaded the bases with just one out. But AC shortstop Sage Martinez made a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch of a potential game-tying liner, whirling to throw to second to force the runner for a game-ending double play to send the Lady Roadrunners into the championship game of the NJCAA World Series in Utah.

AC will play the winner of the Central Florida/Chattanooga game taking place this morning at 11. The Lady Roadrunners will play at 1pm.  A 2nd chance at the national championship, if necessary, would be played at 3pm, all times are CST.

In their first two World Series games, the Angelina College Lady Roadrunners found ways to win despite not hitting a single home run. For a team finishing the regular season with 59 long balls, one had to think it was only a matter of time.  That time arrived in Friday’s early game, with the Lady ‘Runners bashing two homers and several long doubles in an 8-2 win over conference rival San Jacinto College.

The Angelina College Lady Roadrunners greet Kassie James following her three-run homer during Friday’s game against San Jacinto College at the NJCAA World Series in Utah. The Lady Roadrunners advanced to Championship Saturday with an 8-2 over the Coyotes.

Kassie James lined a three-run homer over the left-field fence and Taylor Harper followed two batters later with a majestic shot over the centerfield wall in a five-run fifth inning for AC. Setting the table for James and Harper were Katelyn Barker with a walk and Madi Sumrall and Sage Martinez with long doubles. By the time the homer celebrations settled, AC led 5-1 after three innings.  Melissa Boland picked up an RBI single in the fourth, and Trina Deyo, Meranda Rodriguez and Sumrall each doubled in the fifth to extend the AC lead to 8-1. San Jac added a run in the seventh but couldn’t make up the rest of the deficit in AC’s 8-2 win.

Gia Johns pitched a beauty, allowing just four hits and two runs in six innings. Samantha Moore came on in the seventh and retired three of the four batters she faced to close out the game.

Samantha Moore pitched a complete-game win against Central Florida.

Saturday’s game will be live-streamed by logging on to http://sgcity.org/recreation/njcaa/index.php.