Monday November 18th, 2024 12:29PM

No. 9 UNG softball sweeps Francis Marion in PBC doubleheader

By Staff reports
FLORENCE, S.C. -- The No. 9 University of North Georgia softball team completed a doubleheader sweep of Francis Marion Monday afternoon at the FMU Softball Stadium. With the pair of victories, UNG improves to 23-5 on the season with a 4-0 mark in conference play.

Courtney Poole (17-1) picked up both wins for the Nighthawks, pitching 13 of the 14 innings on the day picking up 14 strikeouts in the combined effort. Poole was named Peach Belt AstroTurf Pitcher of the Week earlier in the day.

Game One:
North Georgia jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first taking advantage of three Francis Marion errors in the inning, highlighted by a two-run double to right center by Jessica Finch.

UNG added another run in the second and two more in the third to take a 7-1 advantage. The Patriot's only runs in the game came off of solo homers by Shannan Lopez and Shelby Kelley.

The Nighthawks out hit FMU eight-to-three in the game.

Poole collected the complete game win allowing two runs on three hits with seven strikeouts.

Game Two:
Once again, the Nighthawks took advantage of Patriot errors with four of UNG's first six runs coming unearned. North Georgia took a 6-0 lead to the top of the sixth when Kim McMillan smacked a three-run home run to center to increase the Nighthawk lead, 9-0.

Francis Marion avoided the run rule scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth, but North Georgia got the runs back in the top of the seventh with an Ansley Phillips two-run homer to right center.

It was once again Poole picking up the victory allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts in her 6.0 innings pitched. Meagan Stover pitched a perfect seventh inning to finish the game.

The Nighthawks return home this week to host Flagler on Thursday with a doubleheader set to begin at 3 p.m. and Columbus State on Sunday with a twin bill starting at 1 p.m.
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