ST. AUGUSTINE – The Flagler College baseball team claimed its first Peach Belt Conference title since joining the league for the 2010 season, and its first title in the program's history that dates back to 1975. The Saints share the title with the University of North Georgia.

"Winning the regular season in the Peach Belt is a tremendous accomplishment for our players," said head coach Dave Barnett. "We have a veteran team (13 seniors) and seven of these guys have been together four-to-five years. They know the significance of their accomplishments and understand what it will take to win the PBC Tournament. This team is special."

Flagler (29-21 overall, 19-11 PBC) concluded its conference slate a week early having lost two-of-three at USC Aiken. The Saints had to sit back and wait to see what would happen in two of the final league series of the year – North Georgia at Columbus State and Young Harris at USC Aiken. North Georgia needed to win one of the three games to claim a share of the conference title, which it did. Two wins would have given the Nighthawks the outright title. If they were swept, the Saints would win the crown outright. USC Aiken had to sweep Young Harris, but fell short losing the second game of the series.

In the mid-1990's, Flagler played in the former Florida Sun Conference (now The Sun Conference) in the NAIA. Prior to that, teams played in districts instead of conferences. The Saints finished as high as second numerous times in the Florida Sun, most recently in 2005 when they went 15-6.

Flagler opens the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, at Drysdale Field, on Friday as the No. 2 seed against the No. 7 seed Francis Marion University at 5 p.m. The Saints boast a 20-9 record at home this season, which includes a 12-3 mark against conference foes.

Flagler Athletics teams have won eight regular season PBC titles: men's soccer (2009 and 2011) and volleyball (2009-10-11, 2016, 2017), along with baseball.

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