DEMOREST, GA – The third-seeded Chowan College Braves beat second-seeded Faulkner University 6- 1 to claim the 2005 National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) South Region Championship here Saturday.

The Braves won three straight to get to the championship undefeated, knocking off host team Piedmont, top-seeded Palm Beach Atlantic and Faulkner.

Jonathan Smith pitched a complete game for the win, scattering four hits, striking out three batters, and giving up one run in the game.

The Braves continued with their offensive attack with a three-run first inning to get on the board first in the game. They added one more run in the fourth to go up 4-0 before Faulkner scored to make it 4-1.

The Braves put the game out of reach for Faulkner in the seventh when they scored two more runs to go up 6-1 and get the eventual win.

Danny Lydon was 3-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI while PJ Sadler was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Michael Kellett was 1-for-2 with two walks, one run scored, and two RBIs in the win.

With the South Region Championship win, the Braves earned an automatic berth to the NCCAA Nationals on May 19-21 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.