PEMBROKE, N.C. — The third-ranked North Georgia softball team scored early and often throughout their Friday evening doubleheader at UNC Pembroke, downing the Braves, 12-3, in game one before delivering a 8-3 defeat in the second game. The Nighthawks improve to 25-7 on the year with a 5-2 mark in Peach Belt Conference play.
GAME ONE
UNG jumped out to a 5-0 advantage in the first frame of the ballgame sparked by a two-run double down the left field line by Alishia Frierson. The Nighthawks added to their lead with a two-run homer from Jordan Deep in the third and a solo shot to left by Shelby Hammontree in the fourth to give North Georgia an 8-0 advantage.
The Braves avoided the run-rule by posting a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. After two scoreless innings, the Nighthawks scratched across four more runs with RBI hits from Lexi Duncan, Deep, and Haley Robinson.
Kylee Smith (14-3) earned the win for UNG picking up 13 strikeouts in her six innings pitched. Both UNCP runs scored against her were unearned.
GAME TWO
North Georgia got off on the right foot again in the second game of the day scoring a run in the top of the first on an RBI single down the right field line by Kaylyn Anthony. UNC Pembroke would find an answer though with an Abbey Walters home run in the home half of the inning.
UNG picked up an unearned run in the second and scored two in the third that included Sydney Sprague stealing home on a double steal and another RBI hit by Frierson. Once again the Braves found an answer though pulling within a run in the bottom of the fifth.
Four more runs came across for the Nighthawks in the top of the seventh with a solo home run off the bat of Kali Turner and three-run double to right center by Anthony giving the game its final score, 8-3.
Amber Johns (5-1) picked up the win in the circle for North Georgia three runs on six hits in her four innings of work. Smith earned her third save of the season shutting the door with three perfect innings of work to close out the game.
NOTES
- The doubleheader, which was originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon, was moved up due to inclement weather in the forecast on Saturday.
- The 12-run performance in game one was a welcome sight for the Nighthawks as UNG had gone 12 games without scoring in double digits.
- Alishia Frierson led the effort at the plate for UNG with a 4-for-8 performance with two runs scored and three runs batted in.
- North Georgia owns an impressive 24-3 all-time advantage over the Braves and has won 21 straight against UNC Pembroke.
NEXT UP
The Nighthawks will now get a much-needed day off before heading to Francis Marion on Sunday for a twin bill against the Patriots. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/3/514198/no-3-ung-softball-continues-to-roll