They took the long road, but the journey was worth it for the Lady Trojans, as they fought through the loser's bracket to claim their second-straight Region IX title. TSJC fell to Otero 2-1 in their opening game, but rebounded to eliminate Lamar, Western Nebraska and Otero on their way to the title. Every game was close in the 2018 tournament, but the TSJC pitching was stellar, the defense was strong, and the hits came when they needed to for the Trojans.

TSJC lost a tight 2-1 contest in the first game against Otero but returned to action in an elimination game against the hosts, and regular season champions from Lamar and won 4-2. The next morning the Trojans eliminated WNCC 10-2. The Cougars had defeated Lamar in the first round but fell to Otero in the second. TSJC then faced Otero again and came from behind for the 4-3 win, forcing a playback game.

In the title game Teddi Garcia was strong in the circle, but the Rattlers were able to manufacture a pair of runs in the second and third innings. A great play from right fielder Alex Medina on a throw home to catcher Sheyanne Sandoval helped prevent a bigger deficit and the Trojans were in striking range late, down 2-0 heading into the final at-bat. TSJC loaded the bases and it was a single from Sandoval to right field that would drive in the winning run for Trinidad. Garcia picked up her third win in the tournament and her 22nd win of the season.

Garcia, Katie Glaze and Rachel Duran were named to the All-Region team. The Trojans (30-27) will travel to El Dorado, Kansas on May 8 for a best-of-three contest with the defending national champions Butler Community College (48-4)

You can view the game winning play on our YouTube site at https://youtu.be/_9gbA5qrBC0