SPARTANBURG, S.C. - St. Johns River State College made sure its first trip to the NJCAA Division II Softball World Series was a memorable one.

The Vikings rolled through World Series play undefeated, culminating with a 7-5 triumph over Kirkwood (Iowa) Community College, giving St. Johns River State its first National Championship in school history. 

Up 4-1 and one out away from the championship, St. Johns River State suddenly found itself reeling.

After two straight hits kept Kirkwood's season alive, Vikings left fielder Alyssa Vallad mishandled a fly ball that would have ended the game. Kiya Johnson followed with a two-run homer to put Kirwood in front, 5-4. 

Then, in the bottom half of the seventh, St. Johns River State flipped the script and wrote a Hollywood ending with Vallad, fittingly, playing the role of heroine. 

Having already plated the tying run, and Caylee Elder on second, Vallad blasted a first-pitch homer over the left field fence, setting off a jubliant celebration as she rounded third and touched home. 

Vallad finished 1-for-4 with three RBI in the game while Elder went the distance in the circle for the victory and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Pitcher. 

St. Johns River State catcher Princess Arredondo was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player and Carley Jagiello, the tournament's Most Outstanding Defensive Player. 

Jagiello, Elder and Izzy Lewis were selected to the All-Tournament Team and Joe Pound was named Coach of the Tournament. 

After losing its second game of the postseason, St. Johns River State won its final ten games and was a perfect 5-0 in the World Series. 

Prior to the finale, the Vikings beat Des Moines (Iowa) Area Community College (2-0), Parkland (Ill.) College (4-2), Louisburg (N.C.) College (10-8) and Kirkwood (10-6).