ANDERSON, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken softball team earned a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Georgia College Saturday afternoon, marking the first time the squad had ever picked up a win in the NCAA Tournament.

After India Kornegay retired the side in the top of the first, fellow senior Kaitlyn White blasted a line-drive triple to right field to lead off the bottom half of the frame. With two down, Andrea Daring put the ball in play, sending it to third base. However, a fielding error allowed Daring to reach first safely and White to score, making it a 1-0 contest in favor of head coach Jerry Snyder's team.

The solo run was more than enough for Kornegay, who tossed a complete-game one-hit shutout while striking out seven batters. By striking out seven, she surpassed the 300 strikeout plateau in a single season, marking the first time that has been done in school history.

Georgia College threatened in the top of the fourth as the team had two runners on, thanks in part to an error, but Kornegay managed to get one batter to swing for a third strike before Sam Chubb caught a foul pop fly, ending the threat.

In the bottom of the fifth, Snyder's squad had runners on second and third with one down, but two straight fly ball outs ended the stanza.

The Pacers capitalized in the sixth inning. With one down, Chubb laced a single to center field and promptly moved to second when Magan Thrower drew a walk. Ashley Metts launched a double to the gap in right center, scoring Chubb for the 2-0 margin.

Going back to the circle, Kornegay looked to complete the game and did so, retiring three straight batters to end the game. Two outstanding plays in the field by Madison Labrador enabled the Pacers to close out the game in fine style.

The Pacers improve to 33-15 overall and will play Anderson tomorrow at 12 p.m., and could possibly play three games tomorrow in the double-elimination tournament. Should USC Aiken win at 12 p.m., the team would take on Armstrong at 2:30 p.m., and could play for the third time in the afternoon at 5 p.m., in a rematch with the Pirates.