SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Alyssa Vallad gave her St. Johns River State College Vikings teammates the best kind of redemption Saturday afternoon by hitting a game-winning two-run home run in the seventh inning to make up for an error that led to two unearned runs for Kirkwood Community College in the top half of the inning in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Championship game.

Vallad’s homer to left-centerfield came ahead of Kendall Catherwood’s bunt single, a steal of second base, and Caylee Elder’s run-scoring double to cap a three-run rally in a 7-5 victory.

The Vikings (55-15) finished the season on a 10-game winning streak, including five in a row at the national championships.

St. Johns entered the 39-team tournament as the No. 9 seed.

“Coach (Joe) Pound and our Lady Vikings have been committed to this championship from day one,” said SJR State President Joe Pickens. “Our entire college community is so proud of the athletic talent, academic commitment, determination and spirit of the NJCAA Division II Softball Champions, the St. Johns River State College Vikings!”

“These ladies have shown all year long what true grit looks like,” Pound said. “This championship was in the making at each practice, win, loss and playoff game. I’m beyond proud of these ladies!”

Catcher Princess Arredondo was selected as the tournament’s MVP. She went 6-for-16 with 9 RBI in five games. Carley Jagiello (third base) earned the tournament’s Top Defensive Player award and Pound was selected as the Coach of the year.

Jenny Bouthillier (first base), Caylee Elder (pitcher), Carolyn Lasaster (pitcher), Olivia Hansen (designated player), Vallad and Arredondo all made first-team honors.

Catherwood, a sophomore infielder, said winning the championship felt like all the work they have put in in the last two years has finally paid off. “This team is special. We play our hardest to make SJR State proud,” she said. “History is still in the making.”