DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Lander softball team gave No. 9-ranked North Georgia all they wanted Saturday afternoon, but came out on the short end of a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader as the Bearcats lost 2-1 and 4-3.

North Georgia improves to 25-6 overall and 5-1 in the PBC, while Lander moves to 10-17, 0-6.

In the first game, North Georgia's Melissa Dickie (7-2) earned the win after striking out four, walking four and allowing one run (not earned) on five hits in seven innings.

Lander's M.K. Pegram (4-6) suffered the loss with five strikeouts, two walks and one earned run on four hits in six innings in six innings pitched.

North Georgia took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Kim McMillan scored on a wild pitch. The Saints stretched the margin to 2-0 in the fifth on Taylor Anne Merritt's run-scoring single.

Lander scored its lone run in the sixth inning when Bethany Beggs doubled, stole third and scored on an error.

North Georgia's McMillan went 2-for-2 and was the game's only player with multiple hits.

In the second game, the Saints' Courtney Poole (15-4) earned the win, striking out four, walking two and allowing two earned runs on seven hits in the complete seven innings.

Pegram took her second loss of the day after walking two and allowing four earned runs on seven hits in six innings of work.

Lander took a 2-0 advantage in the second inning when Kelsey Davis' RBI single plated Amanda Hamby, and Davis later scored on a bases-loaded walk.

North Georgia responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning on a two-RBI single by McMillan and a two-run homer by Merritt.

Lander cut the lead to 4-3 in the third on Nikki Montesanti's RBI triple that pushed Beggs across the plate.

For Lander, Kelsey Davis batted 2-for-3 and Brittney Sheriff went 2-for-4.

For North Georgia, Merritt batted 2-for-2 and Meagan May 2-for-3.