AIKEN, S.C. – Thanks in part to a no-hit bid by India Kornegay, the University of South Carolina Aiken softball team split a pair of games against No. 9 North Georgia, winning 5-1 before losing 1-0 in the second contest.

The Pacers are now 21-10 on the season, including a 4-4 mark against Peach Belt Conference competition.

Kornegay got off to a rough start in the first game, loading the bases before getting an out. The first out of the game was a grounder, allowing one run to come in for the Nighthawks.

However, Kornegay settled down, striking out a batter and forcing a groundout to end the threat in the top of the first.

Head coach Jerry Snyder's team got things going in the second stanza. With one down, Alyssa Cook and Makenzie Barbor each drew walks. Madison Labrador beat out a shot to the shortstop, loading the bags.

Brittney Williamson walked, evening the contest as Cook strolled home. Kaitlyn White reached on a fielder's choice, which scored Barbor. Sarah Montei singled through the left side for a 3-1 advantage. With the bases still loaded, Samantha Chubb laced a single to the gap for a 4-1 edge.

The run support was more than enough for Kornegay, who allowed just one more base runner the rest of the contest.

The Pacers padded their lead in the sixth when White hit a grounder to the pitcher, who was unable to handle it. White kicked things into top gear, beating the throw. She motored to second when Montei placed a well-executed sacrifice bunt down. With two down, White was moving on first contact. Magan Thrower grounded to the shortstop, but she was unable to field it cleanly. Thrower beat the throw to first, but as that was going on White never slowed down and easily beat the throw home for the 5-1 margin.

For the game, Kornegay struck out eight and walked two without giving up a hit. It marked the third time this season she had thrown a no-hitter – and the first time it was a seven-inning contest.

Cook and Labrador had two hits apiece. Cook was the lone student-athlete to record an extra-base hit, which was a double. White, Montei, Chubb and Williamson all knocked in runs for the victors.

In the second contest, neither team managed to get a hit until the fifth inning.

With Taylor Morgan throwing well and a solid defense behind her, the Pacers managed to keep the Nighthawks off the board through the first five stanzas.

In the bottom of the fifth, Snyder's squad threatened to plate a run. With one down, Ashley Metts rocketed a singled to right. Shannon Traylor came in as a pinch runner and promptly stole second. Labrador drew a walk, but Andrea Daring was unable to bring either home.

North Georgia struck for a run in the top of the sixth. It marked the lone run of the game as the Pacers were unable to plate a run in their last two at bats.

For the game, Morgan struck out seven and gave up just two hits for USC Aiken.

The Pacers return to action March 28, when the team travels to Georgia Southwestern for a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.