ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The storybook season of the North Georgia College & State University softball team came to a close Saturday with a 4-1 loss to Metro State in the Division II College World Series at Heritage Park in St. Joseph, Mo.
The Saints (51-2) end the season for the second straight year at the College World Series.
Metro State improves to 53-5 on the year, now winners in 29 of its last 31 games. The Roadrunners advance to Sunday’s semifinal round of the championship where third-ranked Hawaii Pacific awaits in the winner’s bracket. The Roadrunners will be forced to beat the Sea Warriors twice to earn a spot in Monday’s National Championship game.
Both teams struck early with clutch two-out hits as Leslee Smith led the way with a single down the left field line in the first inning, sending Courtney McGuire racing home from second to give the Saints a 1-0 lead.
Metro State would answer in the first inning as Amber Roundtree singled to lead off the inning and Jennessa Tesone guided a two-out base hit up the middle to send Roundtree home and tie the score at 1-1.
Metro State’s Tara Mickelson connected on a solo home run in the fourth inning, her 25th home run of the year, giving the Roadrunners a 2-1 lead.
The Saints threatened to pull even in the sixth inning, putting a two-out rally together as Katherine Martin sent a single to center field, and Pilar Harden followed with a walk. Lady Saints coach Mike Davenport called on junior Kayla Martin to pinch hit, but a groundout to second ended the threat.
The Roadrunners stretched their lead to 4-1 in the sixth inning as Tesone launched a two-run home run over the fence in left field.
Junior right-hander Sarah Phillips took the loss, allowing four runs on five hits to finish the season with a 44-2 record. She had nine strikeouts and no walks to close the season with 294 strike outs this season.
Metro State’s Christie Robinson earned the win, improving to 30-3 on the year with the complete game, allowing just one run on 10 hits.
North Georgia’s Laura Voyles, Jessica Skeels, Courtney McGuire, and Leslee Smith played their final games for the Saints as the group finished their careers with two Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament championships, while making a pair of trips to the NCAA Division II College World Series.