Columbus, Georgia -- Sophomore Sierra Walton was chosen for the 13-player all-tournament team after Indian Hills played five games in the NFCA NJCAA Leadoff Classic over the weekend. Walton, a catcher/first baseman, had a tie-breaking grand slam homer in the Warriors' first game of the tourney, providing the winning margin in an 8-4 win against Gulf Coast State (Fla.). Indian Hills followed that up with an 11-3 thumping of Florida State-Jacksonville. But the Warriors' offense was shut down after that, scoring a total of only five runs in losses to Northwest Florida State (4-1), Central Alabama (6-3) and Shelton State (Ala.) (3-1).

Walton's round-tripper with the bases loaded in the top of the 7th inning was one of two homers in the game with Gulf Coast. She added another RBI and Shyanne DuBois also went deep for the Warriors. Walton, Lexi Smith and Kassidi Henderson each had two hits. Olivia Goodale was the winning pitcher, allowing seven hits and going the distance.

IHCC pounded out 14 hits in a 5-inning decision in their next contest. They got off to a fast start, scoring five times in the 1st inning. DuBois and Erin Kuba each had three hits. Kuba had a single, triple and home run and knocked in three runs. Keagan Helson also homered and the two long balls gave Indian Hills 16 for the season. Marissa Promes went all five innings in the circle and limited Florida State-Jacksonville to just four hits and one earned run, striking out three.

Each team had only five hits in the IHCC-Northwest Florida battle. Two of Indian Hills' hits were by Walton and their lone RBI was from DuBois. Promes was a tough-luck loser, fanning 10 while only allowing five hits.

A grand slam in the bottom of the 6th by Katie Watson of Central Alabama was the difference in its 6-3 victory. The Warriors outhit CAC, 10-9, with DuBois, Taylor Takushi and Abby Straight each connecting for two hits. Straight was the starting pitcher and Goodale gave up the homer and took the loss, her first of the season.

Indian Hills was held to five hits, three by Henderson, and dropped the tourney finale to Shelton State. Goodale fired a complete-game four-hitter and struck out six.

The Warriors ended play in Georgia with a 10-6 record and were scheduled to stop in three different spots in Tennessee on the way back to Iowa, but all three doubleheaders were canceled because of the weather forecast. Indian Hills returns to action at Indianola against the Simpson junior varsity on Mar. 21. The home opener is two days later against DMACC.