DAHLONEGA — After struggling at the plate in the first game of the day, the 12th-ranked University of North Georgia softball team came alive with a seven-run inning in game two to claim a split in Tuesday afternoon's doubleheader against Union (Tenn.). The Nighthawks move to 36-10 on the season following the twin bill.
GAME ONE
Following three scoreless innings to open the game, Stephanie Hartness broke up Gabby Morris' no-hit effort with a solo home run over the wall in straightaway center to give UNG a 1-0 lead.
Union struck back in the top of the sixth with an RBI single through the right side to tie the game, 1-1. Nine-hole hitter Kristen Pickens came up with the game-winning RBI in the eighth with a well-executed squeeze play to score Emily Bennett from third.
The Nighthawks would load the bases with two outs in the bottom of the eighth but couldn't find the timely hit needed to extend the game.
Kylee Smith (21-4) was tagged with the tough luck loss. Smith allowed two runs on eight hits while striking out nine.
GAME TWO
After mustering just six hits in the first 11 innings of the day, the North Georgia offense finally busted through in the bottom of the fourth, plating seven runs that included a three-run triple down the left field line by Kaylyn Anthony.
Union pushed a single run across in the top of the fifth but Jessica Finch would answer for UNG in the bottom frame of the inning with a solo shot to left.
The Lady Bulldogs threatened with a rally in the top of the sixth, loading the bases with no one out, but UNG would turn an extremely rare 8-2-5 triple play to end the inning after a flyout to center was followed with Stephanie Hartness throwing out the runner tagging and trying to score and Shelby Hammontree making a snap throw down to third to putout the runner tagging up from second to end the inning.
Union added the final run of the game in the top of the seventh with an RBI infield single to give the game its final score, 8-2.
Bria Bush (7-4) picked up the win in the circle in one of her most impressive outings as a Nighthawk. Bush allowed one earned run on four hits and four walks.
NOTES
- In addition to raising awareness for cancer by wearing pink, North Georgia fans, players, and staff all forked over some green as well to help support the Flex For Lex Foundation started by former Armstrong State softball standout Alexis Mercer who has been battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
- Freshman Kaylyn Anthony led the team at the plate with a 3-for-6 day that included her bases clearing triple in game two.
- Finch's home run in the second game of the day was her first since Feb. 24 at the Diamond9 Citrus Classic.
- The all-time series between the two programs remains split at 2-2 now. Union won the first all-time meeting in 2005 before UNG evened the series in 2015 with a win.
NEXT UP
The Nighthawks welcome Georgia Southwestern to Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium on Friday, April 14. First pitch for the PBC tilt is set for 1 p.m.
