MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – No .8 (National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II Top 25) University of North Georgia won its fourth consecutive Peach Belt Conference Tournament title with a 4-0 win over Flagler College Saturday afternoon at the Peeler Complex.
 
North Georgia extended its winning streak to nine in a row and improved to 44-10. The Nighthawks receive the PBC's automatic berth to the regional. Flagler falls to 37-19 as its six-game winning streak came to a halt. The Saints will wait and see if they earn one of the five at-large berths to the regional.
 
PBC Tournament Most Valuable Player Kylee Smith (27-4) tossed a four-hit shutout as she allowed only four hits. Smith fanned three. She retired the last 10-of-12 hitters she faced, including the last seven in a row.

The Nighthawks gave Smith all the run support she needed during the first inning. Sydney Sprague led off with a single to third base and Stephanie Hartness doubled down the right-field line. The pair later scored on a wild pitch and a throwing error.
 
Hartness blasted a solo shot to right field in the bottom on the third to extend the lead to 3-0. Hannah McSwain sent a run-scoring single up the middle for the final run of the game in the fourth inning.
 
Morgan Murphy paced the offense for the Saints with two hits, including a double. Mackenzie Conley also ripped a double.
 
Ally Marcano (23-7) allowed three runs on three hits over 2.1 innings   in the loss. Katelynn Smith entered the contest in the third and surrendered one run on just two hits over 3.2 innings.

Marcano, Maria Kappos and Conley were named to the PBC All-Tournament team.
 
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