GULF SHORES, Ala. — The top-ranked University of North Georgia softball team used excellent pitching and consistent hitting to overpower both West Alabama and Miles in Saturday's games at the Gulf Coast Invitational in Gulf Shores, Ala. The Nighthawks took down UWA 11-0 and Miles 12-4, both in five innings.
GAME ONE
Freshman Kelly Kahlert started what would be a 23-run day for UNG, smacking her first-career home run over the left center wall in the top of the first to plate herself and Jessica Finch. The Nighthawks scored twice more in the opening inning by way of a wild pitch and a throwing error.
Alexis Collis drove in another run with a RBI triple down the right field line in the third before an offensive explosion plated six runs in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by a two-run triple to right by Stephanie Hartness. The big inning gave the Nighthawks the 11-0 lead that proved final.
GAME TWO
North Georgia sent nine batters to the plate in the first inning with four coming around to score with Hartness, Finch, Meredith Heyer, and Ansley Phillips all driving in the runs to get UNG off to another 4-0 start.
After scoring a run in both the second and the third, the fourth inning once again saw a plethora of Nighthawk runs. UNG had five runs cross the plate in the inning with five RBI hits and a sacrifice fly.
NOTES
Courtney Poole picked up the win in both games for the Nighthawks, tossing 9.1 of the 10 innings.
Of the 15 outs in the West Alabama game, Poole recorded 14 strikeouts. The UNG ace carried a no-hitter into the fifth. Poole collected another six K's in the Miles game for an even-20 on the day.
This is the first time this season that UNG has collected two un-rule wins in the same day, after accomplishing the feat twice last season (Feb. 13 & Feb. 23).
NEXT UP
North Georgia will finish their nine-game opening road swing tomorrow with a pair of morning games at the Gulf Coast Invite, facing Midwestern State at 9 a.m. and host, Spring Hill at 11:15 a.m.
