Monday March 18th, 2024 10:01PM

No. 7 UNG softball sweeps day one of Gulf Coast Invitational

By UNG Athletics Communications

GULF SHORES, Ala. — Kylee Smith struck out 16 batters against North Alabama and Sydney Sprague went 3-for-4 against Auburn Montgomery as the No. 7 University of North Georgia softball team swept through day one of the Gulf Coast Invitational, defeating UNA, 1-0, before a 5-4 extra innings win over AUM Friday evening.

GAME ONE
Smith was lights out in the circle for the Nighthawks, striking out 16 of the 25 Lions that came to the plate.

The lone run of the game came in the fourth inning after a Hobby Gregory leadoff double preceded a Shelby Hammontree RBI single. Smith proceeded to strikeout nine batters over the final three innings, including the final seven batters of the game for North Alabama.

GAME TWO
North Georgia jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on Sprague's first homer of the season, a shot to left center in the top of the third inning. UNG would score three more in the fourth inning, all of which were unearned runs.

AUM answered, however, with four runs of their own in the fifth inning to tie the game up. After both teams' pitchers locked down the final regular innings, the Nighthawks pushed a run across in the first extra frame on a Sprague single that plated Alishia Frierson to give UNG the cushion needed to earn their second win of the season.

NOTES
- Smith's 16 strikeouts marks a new career high for K's in a single game in her career, surpassing her matchup against Francis Marion on April 21, 2017, in the PBC quarterfinals.

- Today marked the first time since 2015 that the Nighthawks have started the season 2-0.

- North Georgia's Amber Johns was credited with the win in the AUM game after coming on in relief. She threw 3.2 innings of shutout softball, giving up just two hits and striking out six.

NEXT UP
UNG will take on Miles and No. 25 Lenoir-Rhyne tomorrow in the second day of the Gulf Coast Invitational. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. EST against Miles and 4:45 p.m. EST against L-R.

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