Sunday, April 2, 2006

SAINTS SWEEP DOUBLE-HEADER FROM PACERS

Dahlonega, Ga. – North Georgia College and State University used solid pitching performances from sophomore Rachel Bridges to sweep a double-header from USC Aiken on Sunday afternoon. The Saints rallied to steal game one 4-1, and a solo home run from Krista Bess is all the offense they would need as they took game two 1-0.

Rachel Bridges

Krista Bess

In game one, USC Aiken struck first in the top of the second inning with sacrifice fly from Casey Mills to score Ashley Dyches and give the Pacers a 1-0 lead.

North Georgia threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the third inning with two on and two out, but shortstop Lynsey Thompson flied out to left to end the inning.

The Saints finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning with an RBI single by senior first baseman Lara Seamon to score third baseman Brittany Barnes and tie the game 1-1. Two batters later, Rachel Norris lined the ball into left field and Seamon raced home from second base and gave the Saints a 2-1 lead that they would never surrender.

North Georgia added to the lead in the fifth inning on a one out triple by Thompson that scored both Candace Shubert and Brittany Cobb to give the Saints a 4-1 lead. Thompson tried to score from third on a fly out by Barnes, but was thrown out at the plate to end the fifth inning.

USC Aiken put together one final rally in the seventh inning as they put two runners in scoring position, but a ground out by senior Temeka Floyd ended the game and gave North Georgia a 4-1 win. 

Saints starting pitcher Bridges pitched a complete game as she shut down the Pacers to pick up her eighth win of the year. Bridges allowed only one run in the seven inning game and improves her record to 8-6 during her sophomore season. Pacers' starting pitcher Samantha Blair took the loss.

In game two, Bess led off the North Georgia half of the first inning with a shot over the left field wall to give the Saints a 1-0 lead. For Bess, it was her fifth home run and 21st RBI of the season.

Pitching dominated the 1-0 game as both the Saints and Pacers failed to mount offensive production. Bridges, starting her second game of the day, tossed a four hit shutout to claim her second win of the day and improve to 8-6 on the season. Pacers' pitcher, Stacie Oakley took the tough loss as the only run she allowed was a home run to lead off the game.

Box Score, Game 1

Box Score, Game 2

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