DAHLONEGA — For the fifth year in a row, the No. 1 University of North Georgia softball team won the Peach Belt Conference regular season crown by sweeping No. 20 Georgia College in a Wednesday twinbill, winning 8-1 in game one before a 4-0 shutout in the nightcap. North Georgia is now 51-2 on the year.
GAME ONE
After leaving the bases loaded in the second inning, the Nighthawks loaded them up again in the third and cashed in with a RBI single from Shelby Hammontree to go up, 1-0. After the Bobcats hit a solo homer in the top of the fifth, North Georgia answered with an Alishia Frierson bomb to dead center to go back up, 2-1.
The Nighthawks kept the rally going in the fifth, loading up the bases for Jordan Deep, who cleared them with a double to left, increasing the UNG lead to 5-1. North Georgia loaded up the bases one more time in the sixth, making way for Kaylyn Anthony to clear them with a double of her own down the line in left to get to the final 8-1 score.
Kylee Smith pitched her 15th complete game of the year, surrendering just four hits and two walks while striking out five.
GAME TWO
Neither team could get much going early, but UNG struck first again, this time in the fourth inning. North Georgia loaded up the bases and the Bobcats looked to be ready to get out of the jam when a costly error allowed the Nighthawks to push two runs across and take a 2-0 lead.
UNG doubled its lead in the next frame on RBI singles from Hammontree and Hobby Gregory to take the 4-0 lead before Smith came in to relieve Amber Johns and shut the door to win the regular season championship.
NOTES
- Smith is now 27-1 on the year with three saves. Johns improved her record to 17-0 after her 4.1 innings of shutout softball in game two.
- North Georgia breaks the Peach Belt record for consecutive regular season championships, surpassing Kennesaw State's four straight from 1995-98. With the wins, North Georgia will be the top-seed in the Peach Belt Tournament to be played at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium next weekend.
- Hammontree and Lexi Duncan led UNG at the plate, each going 3-for-5 in the doubleheader.
- North Georgia has now won 50 or more games in three of the last four years.
NEXT UP
The Nighthawks will close out the regular season with a doubleheader against Flagler at The Hill on Friday. Senior Day festivities will take place after the conclusion of the twinbill. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
