Game 1 | Game 2

DAHLONEGA, GA – The 2nd-ranked North Georgia softball team continued their best start in school history on Sunday afternoon, playing host to Queens University and taking down the Royals 12-1 in the opener, before coming from behind to sweep the double dip 9-1 in non-conference action.

The Saints improve to 13-0 on the season, continuing their best start in school history and keeping pace with the best teams in the country, while Queens University of Charlotte drops to 4-11 overall on the year.

In game one, North Georgia dominated the Royals with six runs in the first, and three runs in each of the second and third innings to run away with a 12-1 victory in five innings.

Courtney McGuire had her biggest game of the year, going 2-2 with a double, home run, and five runs batted in. The First-Team All-American scored three runs, and blasted her first long ball of the year, a three-run shot in the third inning to put the Saints up 12-0.

Leslee Smith also tallied a pair of hits and a run batted in, while Lauren Dykes had a hit in two trips to the plate with three runs scored. Pilar Harden got on the board with two runs batted in, legging out a two-run triple in the first inning to cap a six-run opening frame.

The North Georgia pitching staff was as solid as ever as Sarah Phillips picked up the win in 3.0 innings of work. The junior didn’t allow a hit and recorded six strikeouts while walking one. Krysten Connelly came on in relief and logged 2.0 innings, allowing two hits and one earned run while walking one and striking out one.

In game two it was Queens that got off to a fast start with a first-inning run, capitalizing on a North Georgia error and using a single up the middle by Megan Campbell to bring Maria Goode to the plate and give the Royals an early 1-0 lead.

Queens kept the Saints off the scoreboard until the third inning where North Georgia put up four runs to take the lead for good. Leslee Smith drove in the first run of the frame with a sacrifice fly, while Katherine Martin capped the inning with a two-run double to bring Pilar Harden and Courtney McGuire racing to the plate.

The Saints added four more runs in the fourth inning as Courtney McGuire continued her huge day with a two-run triple, while Leslee Smith and Pilar Harden both tallied RBI hits later in the inning to give North Georgia a seven run lead at 8-1. Natasha Willemse provided the wining margin with a walk-off double in the last of the sixth to give the Saints a 9-1 victory in six innings.

Sarah Phillips (9-0) picked up her second win of the day in the nightcap, tossing 6.0 innings and allowing two hits and one unearned run, while walking just one and striking out eight.

North Georgia returns to action on Tuesday afternoon, playing host to in-state rival West Georgia at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 2:00 p.m. in Dahlonega.