DAHLONEGA — Two solo homers were all the No. 1 University of North Georgia softball team needed to earn the first win of the 2018 NCAA Division II Southeast Super Regional as the Nighthawks held Young Harris scoreless to win, 2-0.
After three quiet innings, Alishia Frierson led off the bottom of the fourth innings with a massive shot to left center to give North Georgia a 1-0 lead. Two innings later, Shelby Hammontree led off the sixth with a blast to deep center to double the Nighthawk lead.
That would be all Kylee Smith (34-1) needed as she kept Young Harris off balance all day, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out nine Mountain Lions. The sophomore retired 13 of the final 14 batters to step to the plate to secure the win.
NOTES
- North Georgia is now 60-2 in 2018. The Nighthawks are the first team to reach 60 wins in the nation, including all NCAA divisions and NAIA.
- Louise Disi (5-6) was tabbed with the loss, giving up the two runs off four hits with three strikeouts.
- In the four previous Super Regionals that the Nighthawks have won the first game, UNG has advanced to the Division II Softball Championship three times, including 2009, 2010 and 2015. UNG lost games two and three in 2016 to Armstrong State.
NEXT UP
The two teams will meet in game two of the Super Regional tomorrow at noon in Dahlonega. If Young Harris wins, the two will play a winner-take-all game three at 2:30 p.m.
