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#2 Saints Sweep Play at Aiken Early Bird Tourney
AIKEN, SC –
The 2nd-ranked North Georgia softball team stayed perfect on the
season Sunday afternoon, finishing play at the Aiken Early Bird
Tournament with victories over Barton College and Chowan in
non-conference action.
North Georgia improves to 4-0 on the season, running through their
four games at the Early Bird Tournament, allowing just four runs in
the two-day event, while the offense dominated with 28 runs over
the weekend.
In game one against Barton College, the Saints scored single runs
in each of the first two innings before exploding for three runs in
the third and sixth innings en route to the 8-1 victory.
Hilary Cox provided the big blow in the third inning, coming to
the plate with two on and two out and belting her first home run of
the season, plating Leslee Smith and Pilar Harden to give the
Saints a 5-0 lead.
Lauren Dykes recorded a trio of hits at the plate, while Kasey
Knight added a pair of base knocks, and Natasha Willemse tallied
two hits and two runs batted in.
Krysten Connelly (1-0) picked up the victory, lasting five innings
and allowing just three hits and no runs while striking out one.
Michaela Hamilton came on in relief and tossed the final two
winnings, allowing a pair of hits and two runs while striking out
two.
In game two against Chowan University, a six-run second inning was
the difference as the Saints picked up the 8-2 victory. In the
second frame, Laura Voyles and Knight added RBI singles, while
single runs in the fifth and sixth innings capped the scoring for
the Saints.
Dykes (1-0) picked up her first collegiate victory in 4.2 innings
of work, allowing two hits and two runs, one earned, while striking
out six and walking three. Sarah Phillips came on in relief and
tossed 2-1 innings, not allowing a hit while picking up six
strikeouts.
North Georgia returns to action next weekend, playing host to the
Captain D’s Classic at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium as
the Saints will oppose Northern Kentucky and Delta State in singles
games, while taking on 7th-ranked Valdosta State for a pair of
games in a battle of top 10 ranked teams.
