DAHLONEGA — Head coach Mike Davenport and the No. 7 University of North Georgia softball team are set to kick off the 2018 season Friday afternoon at the Gulf Coast Invitational. The Nighthawks will take on three teams either ranked or receiving votes in the NFCA's preseason Top 25 poll in the opening weekend of the season.
Earlier this month, the Nighthawks opened the season with a No. 7 ranking in the NFCA poll, continuing a streak of seven consecutive polls that saw UNG in the top 10. The last time North Georgia was outside of the top 25 was in week nine of the 2017 season when the Nighthawks were ranked 12th in the poll.
The Nighthawks are looking to capture a fifth straight Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament championship in 2018, a streak that, for both, would be the longest in PBC history. North Georgia returns seven starters from last season's NCAA Super Regional team, including preseason All-Conference players Kylee Smith, Sydney Sprague, Alishia Frierson and Lexi Duncan.
In the opening weekend down in Gulf Shores, Alabama, the Nighthawks will open the season against North Alabama, who is receiving votes in the Top 25 poll on Friday. UNG will also take on No. 25 Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday and No. 3 West Florida on Sunday. In total, North Georgia will play six games over the three-day invitational.
During the 2018 season, Davenport's team will host 24 games, including the Captain D's Classic March 3-4. The Nighthawks will also host the Peach Belt Tournament for the first time in program history May 4-5 at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium.
First pitch of the season against North Alabama will be at 3:30 p.m. EST (2:30 local time).
