RELATED: Softball Splits Series With Columbus State After Falling In Game Two

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Using the sixth inning to tie the contest, the visiting UNC Pembroke softball team tipped the lead in favor of the Lady Braves in the seventh inning as sophomore Morgan Davis was brought home by Kaytee Wilson's base hit to claim the 2-1 victory over Columbus State in game one on Saturday afternoon in Peach Belt Conference play.

With the win, UNCP (15-10, 3-0 PBC) extended its winning streak to three games and have controlled a perfect record in the PBC, while Columbus State (19-10, 2-1) suffered its first loss in league play.

Sophomore Whitney Jackson went 2-for-4 with a double and single in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively, while Brea Hartley, Wilson and Taylor Cloninger finished the contest with one hit apiece. Wilson and Caitlin Steel each notched an RBI as Jackson and Davis scored the Lady Braves' runs. Columbus State also totaled four hits as Taylor Turner claimed two and the only RBI of the game.

Senior Natalie Klemann (8-4) throw 130 pitches and faced 27 batters in her complete seven innings in the middle for UNCP as she logged six strikeouts and gave up one earned run. Columbus State's Lindsey DeFee (3-2) also dished out over 100 pitches in her seven innings, but allowed two earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts.

Both teams spent the first three innings battling for the opening run and Columbus State achieved the one-run lead in the fourth inning with a lead-off double by Morgan Staffins followed by a double up the middle by Turner to bring home Staffins.

Jackson led off the sixth inning with her double to right center field and scored on Steel's fielder's choice to bring the game to a 1-1 draw, but the seventh inning determined the game as Davis was hit by a pitch, moved to second on Jackson's single up the middle and gave the win to UNCP after a base hit by Wilson allowed Davis to cross home plate.