DENVER — The No. 18 University of North Georgia softball team claimed an 8-0 run-rule win over No. 3 Auburn Montgomery Friday afternoon, punching their ticket to the national semifinals Sunday.
The Nighthawks got to the scoreboard first in the first inning as Madison Simmons blasted a solo homer over the center field wall to take an early 1-0 lead. After a 45 minute lightning delay in the top of the third, UNG blew the game wide open, starting by scoring on a Warhawk wild pitch. Mallory Parker got the hits going with a single through the left side to up the score to 3-0.
North Georgia kept going in the third with a Jaycie Michael RBI single that scored a pair. The Nighthawks scored on a dropped third strike before Georgia Blair put the final run on the board in the frame with a RBI single to take a 7-0 lead. UNG got to the eight run cushion on a Simmons double down the line in right in the fourth.
NOTES
- This is the first time since 2009 that North Georgia has started the national finals at 2-0.
- Madi Perry and Simmons each had a pair of hits on the day with the former extending her hitting streak to 11 games, including all 10 postseason contests.
- Delaney Heaberlin (15-8) earned the complete game win, tossing a two-hit shutout while fanning three.
NEXT UP
North Georgia has Saturday off and will play Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. EDT. While the opponent is unknown at this time, the Nighthawks need just one win Sunday to earn a spot in the national championship series.
