ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The third-ranked University of North Georgia softball team split Thursday's doubleheader at Flagler, falling in a classic pitchers' duel, 2-1, in game one before taking game two from the Saints, 4-0. The Nighthawks move to 23-7 on the year with the split and are now 3-2 in Peach Belt Conference play.
 
GAME ONE
Flagler prevailed in a matchup of the league's two best freshman pitchers in the first game of the day. Both teams scored in the first inning off a pair of two-out hits but the Saints were able to drive in two runs home half of the first.
 
Kaylyn Anthony drove in the only run of the game for North Georgia in the top of the first with an RBI single to left center to push across Stephanie Hartness. Flagler came through Natalie Murphy came through in the clutch with her two-out two-run double down the left field line in the bottom of the first.
 
Kyle Smith (13-3) went on to retire the last 16 Flagler hitters but the Nighthawks could not find the offense needed to erase the one-run deficit. Smith allowed just two runs on two hits while striking out nine.
 
GAME TWO
After four scoreless innings to start the second game of the twin bill, UNG plated two runs in the top of the fifth on a wild pitch and a Sydeny Sprague solo homer to left put the Nighthawks up, 2-0.
 
Lexi Duncan scored an unearned run in the sixth coming in on a Saints fielding error and Alishia Frierson drove in UNG's fourth run in the top of the seventh with an RBI single up the middle.
 
Amber Johsn (4-1) picked up the win allowing just three hits in her 6.1 innings pitched, striking out seven. Smith picked up her second save of the season picking up the final two outs.
 
NEXT UP
The Nighthawks continue their road trip heading to the Tar Heel state on Saturday to take on UNC Pembroke. First pitch against the Braves is set for 1 p.m.