The Lady Warriors of East Central Community College fought off elimination with a thrilling 5-4 victory over Holmes on Thursday, May 11 in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament in Ellisville. The game came to a dramatic conclusion when ECCC's Emmi Harkins delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring the go-ahead run.

Holmes got on the board early, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on a fielder's choice, before extending their lead to 2-0 on a bases-loaded hit by pitch at bat. The Lady Warriors responded quickly, tying the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning on a towering home run to center field by Meadow Villar, scoring Anna Grace Shows who had singled earlier in the frame.

In the top of the sixth inning, Holmes regained the lead with a two-run RBI single, making it 4-2. However, the Lady Warriors clawed back with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning as Harkins drove in Villar, who had led off the frame with a triple.

Heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Lady Warriors were down by one run. Reagan Bryan came up big with a solo home run to tie the game at 4-4. Catherine Stroud then singled, and Villar drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Harkins then delivered the game-winning hit with a single to left field, scoring Stroud and securing the victory for the Lady Warriors.

ECCC's Ray Ray Evans went the distance in the circle as the right-handed sophomore lasted all seven innings giving up seven hits for runs and striking out three Lady Bulldogs. 

At the plate, Harkins and Villar both posted multiple hits with Harkens' two singles and double leading the way for the Lady Warriors

ECCC will face Northwest Mississippi Community College in another elimination game on Friday, May 12 at 12:30 p.m.