North Georgia College & State University claimed its third straight Peach Belt Conference championship in softball on Sunday as the third-ranked Lady Saints took two from Young Harris and Augusta State swept a doubleheader from Columbus State.

North Georgia will be No. 1 overall seed in the next week’s conference tournament, to be held in Florence, S.C.

On Sunday, the Lady Saints did their part by dominating Young Harris from the pitching circle en route to 5-1 and 9-0 wins.

In the first game, Jessica Coan struck out 14 batters in the first five innings and finished her day with 16 strikeouts in six innings of work to move to 21-4 on the season.

Not to be outdone, Sarah Phillips and Krysten Connelly combined to no-hit Young Harris in the second game. Phillips (16-4) did the bulk of the work, striking out seven in 4 2/3 innings before Connelly came on to record the final out.

The Saints will host Francis Marion at 3 p.m. today in their regular season finale.

Baseball

PIEDMONT 7, LAGRANGE 5: Piedmont College moved into sole possession of first place in the Great South Athletic Conference on Sunday, finishing off a three-game sweep of defending conference champ LaGrange in Demorest.

Kevin McConnell, a Flowery Branch graduate, led the Lions offense going 2 for 3 with an RBI and a stolen base.

Commerce graduate Dusty Black earned the win, surrendering five runs in six innings of work. Matt Collins was perfect in the ninth, earning his ninth save.

Piedmont (21-12, 5-1) will host Oglethorpe University at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

FRANCIS MARION 4, NORTH GEORGIA 3: No. 15 Francis Marion rallied with an eighth-inning home run to take the series finale in Dahlonega.

The Saints (22-15, 8-13 Peach Belt) led 3-1 in the top of the eighth when Francis Marion’s Martin Gordan hit a three-run home run. North Georgia was held hitless in its final two at-bats as the Patriots held on for the win.

North Georgia returns to action at 6 p.m. Tuesday, traveling to Anderson University.