It took seven pitches but it was the seventh and final one that LeTourneau University freshman catcher Kelsie Benson hit into the gap in right-center field to score Courtney Matulis from second for a 3-2 win over Concordia on Sunday.

The YellowJackets (17-20, 11-17 ASC) with the win secured a spot in the upcoming American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament for a second-straight season. To secure the spot, Matulis led off the seventh inning, reaching on an error. Then, freshman Haley Rhine moved Matulis into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt to bring the hot-hitting Benson to the plate.
 
The freshman catcher worked the count to full against Concordia reliever Amanda Allard. Then, on the seventh pitch of the at bat, she hit a ball into the gap in right-center field to score the speedy Matulis from second for the game-winning run. It was the second walk-off win on the weekend for the YellowJackets, who took game one of the series on Saturday on a three-run home run by junior Megan Hill. As a pitcher, Matulis picked up the win, scattering eight hits and two runs (two earned) and a strikeout en route to her sixth complete game and to improve to 6-8.

The Tornados (9-31, 9-23 ASC) overcame an early 1-0 deficit to score a run each in the fifth and sixth inning. Three-different Concordia players – Jessica Borrego, Sydney Coffey and Noey Ruiz – each had two hits in the loss. Allard, in relief of starter Shelby Burrus was the losing pitcher, giving up just the one hit to Benson in the loss to fall 3-4.
 
LeTourneau took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when junior Taylor Kaderli drove in Kelsi Coleman, who singled to start the inning. RBI singles by Borrego and Ruiz in the fifth and sixth put Concordia ahead 2-1.
 
Then, the YellowJackets rallied to tie it in its half of the sixth. Coleman singled through the left side for her second hit of the day. Then, Avila laid down a sacrifice bunt to move pinchrunner senior Erin Paterson to second. Next, with a 2-2 count, Taylor Kaderli doubled down the right-field line to score a hustling Paterson to even the score at 2. The RBI double ended the day for Concordia starter Shelby Burrus and the Tornados called on Allard, who successfully got back-to-back fly outs to end the inning.
 
After allowing a two out single, in the top of the seventh, Matulis got a fly out to keep Concordia off the scoreboard and set the stage for the late-game heroics.
 
The YellowJackets' opponent and game time for the conference time has yet to be determined but it will be held at Sudden Link Field on the campus of UT Tyler.