Senior Sarah Phillips threw a no-hitter for the third-ranked North Georgia College & State University softball team to cap a doubleheader sweep of Francis Marion, 2-1, 6-1, on Monday at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium in Dahlonega.
The lone Francis Marion run in Game 2 came after a leadoff walk led to a fielder's choice, and a sacrifice fly scored the run, but Phillips shut down the Lady Patriots from there, striking out five and improving to 17-4 on the season.
Kayla Martin hit a solo home run, and Jessica Coan (22-4) earned the win from the circle in Game 1, throwing her 21st complete game of the season while striking out 11 for North Georgia (43-9, 17-3 Peach Belt Conference).
The Lady Saints, who have already secured their third straight PBC regular-season championship, will face North Carolina-Pembroke beginning at 11 a.m. Friday at Freedom Florence Park in the opening round of the PBC tournament.
NORTH GEORGIA MEN'S GOLF IN 11TH: The North Georgia men's golf team struggled during the opening day of the 2011 Peach Belt Conference Championships and currently sits in 11th place after the second round Monday at the Savannah Quarters Country Club in Pooler.
North Georgia rounds out the field following opening round scores of 324 and 330, to give the Saints a two-round total of 654. Howard Duffin, a junior, leads North Georgia in 30th place overall following rounds of 78 and 77, and is currently 11-over-par for the Championship. Grant Rish and Bryson Womack are not far behind at 21-over-par, while Brian Mallory is 25-over-par and Matt Rochlin is 29-over-par.
The final round begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday at the Savannah Quarters Country Club.
NORTH GEORGIA WOMEN'S GOLF IN SIXTH: With a first round score of 360, the Lady Saints are currently in last place in the Peach Belt Conference Championships at the Savannah Quarters Country Club in Pooler.
Catalina Olarte carded a 9-over-par 81 in the opening round for North Georgia, and is currently tied for 13th place overall.
Casey Truelove is in 25th place following a 19-over-par 91, while Jodie Borchert and Erica Breeden are tied for 28th place at 22-over-par. Daisy Wright rounds out the field at 35-over-par.
Play concludes in the second PBC Women's Golf Championships with a single round of 18 holes beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday in Pooler.