North Georgia softball marches back to PBC title game

COLUMBUS -- The Saints wasted no time advancing to their fifth straight Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship game as they took down USC Aiken 9-0 at Cougar Field in the first semifinal of the day.

North Georgia (45-7) had the hot bats all afternoon, as they plated nine runs or more for the ninth time this year. The Saints smacked out nine hits, while allowing just two against the No. 6-seeded Pacers (26-17)

The No. 2 seed of the tournament got contributions up and down the lineup, as eight of the nine batters in the lineup had a hit. The Saints scored seven runs in the second inning, tying their highest single-inning total of the season.

Hilary Cox led the RBI attack for North Georgia, finishing with three in the game. Cox went 1-for-2 with a sac fly.

The Saints DP Callie Fernandez had a pair of RBI's, as she went 1-for-2 at the plate as well. Fernandez got the scoring going in the seven-run second inning when she smacked a single to right center to score Katherine Martin and Kayla Minger.

Also adding an RBI was Karlie Gillam, Martin and Pilar Harden, who hit a solo home run in the fourth inning. Harden scored a pair of runs, while adding the RBI and drawing a walk.

Rochelle Shuman went a perfect 2-for-2 while scoring two runs, as her bat is starting to get back on track at the right time.

Keeping her perfect record intact was Melissa Dickie, who now moves to 19-0 on the season. The PBC Freshman of the Year has picked up both wins this tournament, as she only surrendered two hits to USC Aiken in five innings.

Playing outstanding defensively was Gillam, Tiffanie Burns and Sarah Johnson of the infield, making plays on the many ground balls that Dickie forces.

The pitching duo of India Kornegay and Samantha Lemm of USC Aiken got roughed up by the No. 11-ranked Saints, allowing all nine earned runs, walking three batters and giving up nine hits.

North Georgia has now won 14 consecutive PBC Tournament games and 15 games overall. The eight-run rule victory was the Saints 10th of the season.

The PBC Tournament Championship is scheduled for 4:00 PM at Cougar Field, as the No. 2-seed Saints will take on either the No. 5-seeded Cougars of Columbus State or the No. 1-seeded Pirates of Armstrong.

The Saints split their two meetings with each team.