DAHLONEGA, Ga. -- Powered by three home runs from Ashlyn Rogers, the 7th-seeded Georgia Southwestern State University Lady Hurricanes defeated top-seeded and 10th-ranked University of North Georgia 7-4 in the championship game of the 2025 Peach Belt Softball Tournament played at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium. GSW claimed their first-ever PBC softball tournament title and earns the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament where they will appear for the first time.

GSW, whose only other appearance in the championship game was a 3-1 loss to North Georgia in 2019, becomes the first seven seed to win a PBC Tournament and the lowest seed to hoist the trophy.

Rogers, named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, got things going in the top of the first as she launched a two-out solo shot over the fence in left field.

North Georgia answered with some aggressive baserunning in the bottom of the first. With runners at the corners, UNG's Carleight Knowles took off from first and, after a throw to second, Sydnee Reaves stole home.

The score was tied until Rogers set foot in the box once again to lead off the fourth and launched another home run. That was the start of a four-run inning for the Hurricanes as Rebecca Hazard brought in another with an RBI single, followed by another run on an error and another on a sacrifice fly from Riley Ernst. That was enough to retire UNG starter Angelina Badalament (L, 19-6) who was replaced by Chloe Poss.

UNG got two runs back in the sixth as Journey Roberts had an RBI single, followed by a sac fly from Sadye Johnson.

But Rogers struck again in the top of the seventh with a two-run home run to center that put the game out of reach. UNG tried to rally with a run in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI from Knowles, but it was not enough as GSW ended the threat with a put-out at second base to start their celebration.

GSW starter Pyper McCard (W, 9-7) pitched six innings, scattering eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts and three runs allowed. Regan Lee pitched the seventh for the Hurricanes.

GSW will learn of their opponent in the NCAA Tournament when the official selections are revealed on Monday. UNG is very likely to earn an at-large bid.

2025 PBC Softball
All-Tournament Team

Cierra Kinlaw, USC Beaufort
Sydney Stewart, Flagler
Reagan Hill, Lander
Natalie Ray, North Georgia
Sydnee Reaves, North Georgia
Carleigh Knowles, North Georgia
Cooper Watson, Georgia Southwestern
Madison Banks, Georgia Southwestern
Malone Aldridge, Georgia Southwestern

Tournament MVP
Ashlyn Rogers, Georgia Southwestern

Thank you to the Peach Belt Conference for providing this story