The Yotes (37-20) finished 3-0 on the week, including two wins over LSU Alexandria, and left no doubt in the title game by doing most of their damage in the first two innings.
LSU Alexandria (37-18) struck first on an RBI single from Kaetlyn Dunbar in the opening frame, but College of Idaho responded immediately. Madelyn Powell delivered an RBI double to tie the game, and the Yotes took advantage of a defensive miscue to plate two more runs and grab a 3-1 lead.
After the Generals pulled within 3-2 on a solo home run from Jillian Howell in the second inning, the Yotes delivered the knockout blow.
College of Idaho exploded for six runs in the bottom of the second, turning a one-run game into a 9-2 advantage. Kamryn Ham ignited the rally with an RBI single, followed by a run-scoring double from Kina Watts. Powell came through again with a two-run double, while Chloe Flerchinger added an RBI walk and Hallie Campbell capped the inning with a sacrifice fly.
The Yotes finished with nine RBIs on eight hits, getting contributions throughout the lineup. Powell led the way with three RBIs, Watts added two, and Ham, Flerchinger, Campbell and Isabella Fazzio each drove in a run.
LSU Alexandria made one final push in the third, scoring four runs to cut the deficit to 9-6 behind RBI efforts from Kilee Moody, Howell and Livie Thibodeaux.
But as they had all week, the Yotes answered.
Watts delivered an RBI single in the bottom half of the inning to extend the lead back to four runs, and College of Idaho took control from there.
Drew Williams earned the win in the circle, tossing 4 2/3 scoreless innings in relief to close the door while allowing just two hits. Kina Watts started the game in the circle but was moved to short stop in the third.
From there, the Yotes' defense locked in. College of Idaho held LSU Alexandria scoreless over the final four innings, including a clean seventh to seal the championship.
The Yotes took the shortest possible path to Columbus, Georgia, winning the bracket without a loss and punching their ticket with a balanced offensive surge and a steady pitching staff across the three-game run.
Madelyn Powell led the offensive charge throughout the week, hitting .500 with five hits, five runs scored, five RBIs and a pair of doubles. Kina Watts matched her production at the plate, also batting .500 while adding three RBIs and contributing in multiple roles for the Yotes.
Audrey Sweet provided consistent spark near the top of the lineup, scoring five runs and adding a home run, while Lena Zahniser delivered the biggest swing of the tournament with a three-run homer in the upset of No. 1 seed Science and Arts.
Kamryn Ham hit .444 and was a constant catalyst on the base paths, while Isabella Fazzio and Chloe Flerchinger each delivered key timely hits and RBI production across the three wins. Hallie Campbell also drove in three runs, including a key sacrifice fly and a run-scoring double during the run.
In the circle, Watts anchored the pitching staff by going 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA over 16 1/3 innings, while Drew Williams provided stability with a scoreless relief outing in the championship run for her win. The Yotes held opponents to a .284 batting average across the three games and allowed just 13 total runs while scoring 23.
With the victory, College of Idaho advances to the NAIA World Series final site with games beginning on May 21.