Tuesday March 19th, 2024 12:39AM

No. 7 UNG softball finishes Gulf Coast Invitational undefeated after 2 shutout wins

By UNG Athletics Communications

GULF SHORES, Ala. — After play was delayed for two hours due to rain overnight, the No. 7 University of North Georgia softball team finished the Gulf Coast Invitational 6-0 after defeating Delta State, 3-0, and No. 3 West Florida, 8-0, Sunday.

GAME ONE
Riley Patton pitched a two-hit shutout for the Nighthawks as she held the Statesmen to just four base runners in the game. UNG scored two in the third after loading the bases in the inning, one on a fielder's choice and the other on a double steal.

After a leadoff double by Kaylyn Anthony in the fourth, Lexi Duncan brought home the game's final run on a single to right center.

GAME TWO
The top-10 matchup started with a pitcher's duel with both teams going down with runners getting no farther than first base through the first three innings. That changed in the fourth when UNG opened the scoring with an Alishia Frierson RBI double that scored Marley Stowers and put the Nighthawks up, 1-0.

After a 1-2-3 bottom half to the fourth, North Georgia got started again with a double by Duncan to lead off the inning. After Brittany Gilliam hit a RBI single to score Duncan, Kelly Kahlert was able to bring Gilliam home on a single to right that put UNG up, 3-0.

The Nighthawks scored again in the sixth before exploding in the top of the seventh. A four-run inning was highlighted by a two-run bomb to cap the scoring by Stowers and bring the game to its final score.

NOTES
- Amber Johns struck out 10 Argos in the five-hit shutout of West Florida, earning her second win of the season.

- Duncan finished the day 3-for-6 at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored.

- North Georgia last started 6-0 in a season back at the start of the 2012 season when UNG started 8-0.

NEXT UP
The Nighthawks will take part in the South/Southeast Region Crossover, hosted by Flagler, from February 9-11. UNG will open play in the event against Rollins on February 9 at 2 p.m.

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