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DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Defending national champion and No. 11 North Georgia lived up to its ranking Monday afternoon, sweeping the UNC Pembroke softball team in a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium, 3-1 and 8-0.
The Braves (14-17-1, 5-7 PBC) see their losing streak move to seven games with the setbacks, while North Georgia (32-5, 10-0 PBC) has now rattled off 13 victories in a row.
In the opening contest, the Braves were held scoreless through the first six frames before plating a run in the seventh on their third hit of the game. Abbey Walters reached second on a miscue in right field and Toni Nelson drove Walters home with a single to left. The other two UNCP hits came off the bats of Taylor Gerhart and K.B. Smith.
North Georgia plated a pair of runs in the fifth and followed that up with a tally in the sixth to lead 3-0 entering the final inning.
Senior Katie Saunders (9-9) tossed her 15th complete game of the season in the defeat, surrendering three runs on five hits. The righty struck out one Knighthawk and walked two, throwing 84 pitches.
The Black & Gold suffered their first run-rule defeat of the season in game two, allowing eight runs in the first five innings without scoring a run of their own. The visitor's managed two hits, both singles from Nelson and Jamie Johnson. The UNCP catcher was a solid 2-for-5 in the twinbill, the only Brave to notch multiple hits.
The hosts produced two crooked innings, scoring three times in both the first and third. They added single runs in the second and fifth frames for the 8-0 victory.
Walters (3-4) took the ball in game two, but last just two batters, issuing two base on balls. Both runs would come around to score, keeping the junior hurler on the hook for the loss. Freshman Taylor Strickland pitched three innings in relief, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits. Saunders tossed a scoreless fourth inning before allowing a run on one hit and three walks in the fifth.
The Braves will take a six-game break from conference play beginning Thursday with a home doubleheader against Limestone. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at LRA Field in Pembroke. UNCP is 6-3 at home this season. The Braves and Saints have met eight times dating back to 2001 and Limestone holds a 7-1 advantage over the Black & Gold. The Saints are 13-8 overall this season and have a 3-0 record in Conference Carolinas play.
