MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – An explosive first inning, highlighted by home runs from Abbey Walters and Toni Nelson, propelled the No. 5-seed UNC Pembroke softball team past host and fourth-seeded Georgia College in Friday's Peach Belt Conference Quarterfinal at the Peeler Complex in Milledgeville.
This marks the first league tournament win for the Braves (29-23-1) since 2008, advancing to Saturday's semifinal round against an opponent to be determined. It's the first semifinal appearance for UNCP in program history. The Bobcats (39-16) will now await the NCAA Division II Selection Show for their national tournament fate to be decided.
The Black & Gold were not intimated with taking on the tournament host Bobcats, striking for three runs in the opening frame. Whitney Jackson ripped a one-out double to left, setting the stage for Walters' two-run long ball to left to put UNCP up 2-0. Two batters later, Nelson sent a moon shot into the street over the left-field fence to extend the advantage to 3-0.
Both teams went quietly until the top of the fifth when the Braves took advantage of two Georgia College errors to plate their fourth run. UNCP added another insurance run in the seventh when the Bobcat catcher tried to throw behind Taylor Gerhart at second, allowing Walters to stride home for a 5-0 Braves lead.
UNCP senior hurler Katie Saunders (16-12) sprinkled six hits in her fourth shutout victory of the season, while walking one Bobcat. The righty kept Georgia College off balance all game, inducing 12 infield popups. The victory helped Saunders match her win total from a year ago.
Nelson, Gerhart and Morgan Davis racked up two hits apiece, while Jackson and Walters each recorded one base knock in the winning effort.
The Braves will take the field Saturday in the PBC Semifinals at 1:30 p.m. UNCP will battle the winner of tonight's last quarterfinal between the No. 8-seed Francis Marion Patriots and the No. 1-seed and regular season conference champions North Georgia Nighthawks. The Braves spilt a doubleheader with the Patriots in Pembroke March 9 and dropped both contests to North Georgia March 21 in Dahlonega.
