AUGUSTA – For the third straight season, the North Georgia College & State University softball team has been picked to win the Peach Belt Conference Championship the league announced Wednesday afternoon, unanimously receiving the honor from a poll of the league’s head coaches.

The Saints received all 10 possible first place votes for 100 total points, while Armstrong Atlantic was tabbed second, with 81 points, and Francis Marion, Augusta State, and Flagler rounded out the league’s top five. UNC Pembroke was selected sixth, while USC Aiken, Columbus State, Lander, Georgia College, and Georgia Southwestern round out the league voting.

The Saints are looking to become just the third team in the history of the league to win three straight Peach Belt Conference championships after USC-Spartanburg and Kennesaw State accomplished the feat a decade ago.

North Georgia earned the league’s top spot after capturing back-to-back league titles, consecutive tournament titles, and two straight trips to the College World Series.

Lady Saints head coach Mike Davenport’s squad has put together a 101-7 record the last two seasons, including 51 straight wins a year ago, a mark that sits second all-time in the history of NCAA softball. In PBC play, the Saints have been equally impressive, posting a 20-0 record last season in league action, while going 37-1 over the last two years.