CLINTON, Miss – The LSU Eunice Lady Bengals fell in the NJCAA Softball National Title game to Phoenix College 2-1 and was crowned Division II National Runner Ups.

Phoenix, coming out of the losers bracket, forced a two-game playoff for the title after defeating LSU Eunice 5-1 earlier.

Phoenix College pulled out in front 2-0 in the second inning and LSU Eunice answered with one run in the bottom of the third. The Lady Bengals could not muster another run and Phoenix held on to win.

Jaci Trahan and Brooke Thomas were 1-for-2 in the game each with a single and the only hits earned by the Lady Bengals in the contest. Kaylee Guidry recorded her first loss of the tournament on the mound for the Lady Bengals.

The Lady Bengal squad end the season with a 53-11 record.

Local athletes noted among the roster are Taylor Simon (ND alum), and Rayne High grads Kelsey Hollier and Mariel Meche.

Hollier was named “Defensive Player of the Tournament” for her efforts at centerfield.

Simon (ND standout) defends second base and excells at the plate, while Meche, Rayne High’s starting pitcher last season, sees action at third base for the Lady Bengals.

The Lady Bengals qualified for the national tournament by claiming top honors at the Regional Tournament.

In the championship game the Lady Bengals came out fired up with pitcher Kaylee Guidry leading the Bengals defense, striking out 11 Lady Bobcats and giving up only three hits in the seven innings of play.

The Lady Bengals defense was strong behind Guidry allowing no errors and only four Lady Bobcats to get on base.

Offensively the Lady Bengals put up two runs in the second inning and added two more to secure their victory, as a team the Bengals racked up seven hits.

Kelsey Hollier led the Lady Bengals offense going 2-3 with one run, and Taylor Simon going 1-3 with one run scored and one RBI.