HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | The No. 9 University of North Georgia softball team opened up its 2015 campaign with two shutout victories, taking down Union (Tenn.), 8-0, in six innings and West Georgia, 2-0. UNG was the only team to record two shutouts in the opening day of action at the UAH Charger Chillout.
 
While the Nighthawks scored 10 runs on the day, the performances in the circle were the story of the day with UNG only allowing a total of three hits in the combined 13 innings of play.
 
Game One
In the first game of the day the Nighthawks jumped out on Union, scoring two runs in the second inning on a Meredith Heyer single to right, which plated Alexis Collis and Meagan May.
 
UNG added two more runs in the fifth on a two-run double from Jessica Finch that scored Kim McMillan and Taylor Anne Merritt.
 
North Georgia put the game out of reach in the next inning, plating four more runs to get the run-rule advantage over the Lady Bulldogs.
 
Meagan Stover picked up the win in her first performance for the Nighthawks. The senior from McDonough went all six innings while only allowing one hit in the shutout.
 
Game Two
North Georgia got on the board quickly in the top of first scoring the game's first run. After Kim McMillan singled up the middle and proceeded to steal second and advance to third on an errant throw from the short stop back to the pitcher, Jessica Finch delivered an RBI single to right to give UNG the early 1-0 lead.
 
The Nighthawks threatened again in the top of the third with two runners in scoring position with less than two outs, but couldn't push one across.
 
McMillan provided some insurance in the top of the seventh with a line drive home run over the wall in left center to give North Georgia the 2-0 lead that proved final.
 
Courtney Poole recorded the victory in the circle, going all seven innings, allowing only two hits on the night.
 
Next Up
The Nighthawks return to action in the Chillout tomorrow at 2 p.m., CST, taking on Miles with a contest against No. 21 Indianapolis immediately following.