Dahlonega, Ga. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Softball Team (46-12), ranked No. 13 in NCAA Division II, fell to Limestone (44-11) by a 5-3 score Thursday afternoon in the opening round of the 2017 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Tournament at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium.

The Bears, the fifth seed in the tournament, will take on top-seeded and third-ranked North Georgia (44-11) in an elimination game on Friday at 12:30 p.m.  Limestone faces eighth-seeded North Greenville (36-17) on Friday beginning at 10:00 a.m.  The Crusaders upset the Nighthawks by a 2-1 score in their opening round contest.

The Saints' Emma Swearingen (Simpsonville, S.C.) finished with three hits and two runs batted in as Limestone beat Lenoir-Rhyne for the third time this year.

Limestone held a 5-1 advantage before junior third baseman Mackenzie Cates (Efland, N.C.) hit a two-run double in the sixth inning but the Bears couldn't get any closer the rest of the way.  Cates drove in all three runs for Lenoir-Rhyne despite the loss.

On the mound, the Saints' Courtney Smith (Bluffton, S.C.) improved to 18-5 on the year after earning the win while Josie Weber (Stanley, N.C.) was credited with the save.  Lenoir-Rhyne freshman Sydney Miller (East Bend, N.C.) fell to 14-8 after taking the loss.