FLAGLER HEADED TO CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY

Photos by SkyHawk Sports Photopraphy

Box Score | Press Conference | Video Replay

DAHLONEGA, GA − Two Augusta State University errors led to four runs as No. 24 (NFCA Division II Top 25) Flagler College defeated Augusta State University 6-2, in eight innings, in an elimination game at the 2011 NCAA Division II Softball Southeast Regional at Hill Stadium Saturday night.

Flagler improved to 42-17 and will face No. 2 North Georgia College & State University in the championship game tomorrow (May 15) at 1:30 p.m. If Flagler wins, there will be a second game at 4 p.m. Augusta State finishes the season at 35-20.

After a one-out double by Tori Jolley, which hit the base of the left field fence, Brittany Simmons (Ocala, Fla., Chattanooga State Tech CC) hit a ground ball to second base. The throw from second to home beat pinch runner Stacy Piagno (St. Augustine, Fla., Pedro Menendez HS), but the ball deflected away from the catcher allowing Piagno to collect herself after the collision and score. The ball trickled into the Augusta State dugout allowing Jolley to score. Simmons took second on the play. Katelyn Guinsler (Williston, Fla., Central Florida CC) followed with a single center, but the Augusta State center fielder over ran the ball and Guinsler made it all the way around the bases to give the Saints a 6-2 lead.

Kelly Riddick (Hampton, Fla., Central Florida CC) (20-4) tossed two innings in relief to pick up the win. She faced nine batters and did not give up a hit. Kalyn Loverich (St. Johns, Fla., Bartram Trail HS) started and pitched four innings, scattered two hits and fanned two. She retired nine-of-the-first-11 batters she faced.

Breezy Collings (Orange City, Fla., Brevard CC) belted a two-run home run in the fifth inning to give Flagler a lead. Jolley went 2-for-4 with a double and scored a run. Alona Personius (Lake Stevens, Wash., Florida State College-Jacksonville) was walked three times.

The Jaguars tied the game at 2-all with three consecutive singles by Kristen Jones, Kacee Camp and Kaitlin Harris. Augusta State finished with five hits - all singles.

Heather Hughes (14-9) went the distance and scattered five hits and allowed three earned runs. She also walked six batters.