DAHLONEGA, Ga. — The 17th-ranked University of North Georgia softball team shutout USC Aiken twice in Saturday afternoon's doubleheader winning the first game, 10-0, in six innings before taking game two, 2-0. UNG held its second annual Operation Nighthawks of Honor yearend presentation prior to the twin bill with a crowd of over 450 on hand. The Nighthawks move to 31-9 on the season with the win and are now 11-4 in the Peach Belt Conference.
 
GAME ONE
North Georgia got off to a great start scoring three runs in the bottom of the first with an RBI single up the middle by Stephanie Hartness, a perfectly executed squeeze play Kaylyn Anthony, and an RBI single by Jordan Deep gave UNG a 3-0 lead. Hartness added a fourth run in the second inning with an inside the park home run blasted off the centerfield wall.
 
The Nighthawks put together a six-run rally in the bottom of the sixth with the game ending on Shelby Hammontree's run-rule walk off three-run homer down the left field line to hand UNG the 10-0 win.
 
Kylee Smith (18-3) picked up the win allowing just three hits while recording eight strikeouts. The freshman did not allow a walk in her six innings of work.
 
GAME TWO
UNG got on the board in the with a single run in the bottom of the second. At the end of an 11 pitch at bat, Lexi Duncan swung through a wild pitch reaching first and allowing Whitney Worth to score from third.
 
Hammontree drove in the second run of the game in the next inning with an RBI single up the middle to plate Alishia Frierson, giving the Nighthawks the 2-0 lead that proved final.
 
Amber Johns (7-2) earned the win allowing just two hits with three walks and four strikeouts in her seven innings pitched.
 
NEXT UP
The Nighthawks welcome Lander to Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium tomorrow afternoon for a PBC doubleheader that is set for a 2 p.m. start.