DAHLONEGA, Ga. -- North Georgia overcame an early deficit to notch a 5-3 Peach Belt Conference victory over Augusta State and claim a 2-1 victory in the league series.

Saints' closer Jacob Rickett tossed 8.0 innings of relief, allowing one unearned run while striking out 12 as NGCSU clinched a spot in next month's PBC Tournament.

With the win, the Saints improved to 25-16 overall and 10-14 in the PBC. The loss dropped ASU to 20-26 on the season and 10-14 in the league.

Junior outfielder Caleb Saggus and freshman second baseman Jeff Rice each went 2-for-4 for the Jags. Rice, senior catcher Casey Hanrahan and senior centerfielder Alex Walker each collected an RBI.

ASU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Saggus reached on a leadoff single and senior first baseman Tristan Toorie reached on a base hit to center. Hanrahan followed with an RBI-double to left before Rice singled to left to plate Hanrahan.

The Jags scored their final run in the eighth when Rice reached on an error, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on freshman shortstop Kevin Dodson's RBI-single.

ASU junior righthander Rob Crosby worked the first 4.0 innings, allowing six hits and an earned run. Josh Barks took over in the fifth and gave up a run and three hits in 1.1 innings. Wilson Taylor was charged with a hit and a run in 2.0 innings, and Stephen Ramsey got the final two outs in the eighth.

The Jags travel to Savannah, Ga., on Tuesday, April 19 to take on Armstrong Atlantic State at 3:00 p.m.