By LEE ADAMS

Sports Writer

The ICC Lady Indians hosted rival Northeast Lady Tigers Monday afternoon. The Lady Indians needed to win at least one game to capture second in division and qualify for the Region 23 Tournament.

In game one, the Lady Indians sent Melissa Russell to the rubber, and she stepped up to strike out 13 Lady Tigers.

The Lady Indians struck first in the bottom of the second inning on a Mandy Lindsey RBI single to left.

Russell had a no hitter going until the top of the fourth when she gave up back-to-back singles, but the Lady Tigers were unable to score.

The 1-0 Lady Indian lead held until the top of the sixth when the first batter for the Lady Tigers hit a solo homer to left.

The Lady Indians answered in the bottom of the inning when Cyndal Cleveland hit into a fielder's choice with a runner at third.

The Lady Tigers tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the seventh inning on a solo home run to center.

After the Lady Indians were unable to score in the seventh, the game went into extra innings.

Northeast was unable to score a run with the bases loaded, opening the door for the Lady Indians to win in the bottom of the eighth.

Due to the international tie breaker rule, Brooke Tedford started the inning on second base.

Rachel Talley started the inning with a sacrifice bunt that moved Tedford over to third for power hitter CeCee Austin.

Austin and Heather Whitworth were walked intentionally to load the bases.

With one out and the bases loaded, Cleveland stepped up and hit a single in the left field gap to that scored Tedford from third and gave the Lady Indians a 3-2 victory.

The Lady Indians earned a spot in the Region 23 Tournament with the win and earned the number two seed from the North in the state tournament.

In game two, the Lady Indians trailed 2-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh.

With runners at first and third, Talley laid down a bunt that plated a run and put the go ahead run in scoring position. With Austin next in the lineup, the Lady Indians knew that Northeast was going to walk her.

Austin stepped up to the plate, and the Lady Tigers catcher stood up and signaled for an intentional walk. However, the first pitch was too close to the plate, and Austin hit the ball over the centerfield fence for a walk off three run homer.

The walk off homer gave the Lady Indians a 5-2 victory and the sweep of their rival