CLEMMONS, N.C. – The Paine College softball team captured the NCCAA South Region Championship after knocking off top-seeded Carolina in back-to-back games.

The Lady Lions won by scores of 4-3 and 5-1.

PC jumped on top in the first game when Katherine Sugilio belted a single to the gap in right center field, plating Dara Ayovi for the 1-0 lead.

Trailing 3-0 heading in the sixth, the Lady Lions went to work. Ayovi reached on an error and moved to second base. Omori laid down a bunt single to push Ayovi to third. Sugilio's base hit plated Ayovi, making it 3-2.

Emmy Segura reached on a fielder's choice that put runners on first and second. An infield hit by Brionna King loaded the bases. Destiny Lawrence found an opening and sliced a pitch to right center field plating Sugilio and Segura for what turned out to be the game-winning run.

Leticia Y. Omori went the distance for the victory. She struck out two in seven innings of work, including registering a three-up, three-down inning in the seventh to force the "if necessary game."

PC left no doubt in the final game of the regional, taking a 3-0 lead in the first. Ayovi singled and moved to second on Omori's base hit to left field. Two batters later, Segura recorded an infield single to load the bags. King lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, plating Ayovi. Lawrence reached on an error, allowing Omori and Segura to cross home plate.

Leading 3-1 in the fourth, Ka'niyah Robertson tripled to right field and scored on Ayovi's single. In the fifth, Segura drew a one-out walk and moved to third when King reached on an error. A sacrifice fly by Lawrence pushed Segura across home plate for the final tally.

Ayovi and Segura each had two hits in the game. Segura scored twice in the victory. 

In the circle, Omori threw a complete game, recording a strikeout while giving up one run on six hits.   

The Lady Lions return to action May 16-18 at the NCCAA World Series in Kansas City, Mo. Games will be held at the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy.