GULF SHORES, Ala. - The No. 16 University of North Georgia softball team got off to the winning start in 2020 with a pair of opening day wins Saturday in the Gulf Shores Invitational. The Nighthawks defeated Drury, 3-1, before taking down Auburn Montgomery, 2-0.
 
GAME 1
The Nighthawks got things going in the third inning with a one-out single from Kaylyn Anthony. After an infield single by Mariah Wicker and a Shelby Hammontree walk, Jenna Goodrich earned a RBI single to score both Anthony and Wicker, giving UNG a 2-0 lead.
 
After the Nighthawks scored again in the fourth, Drury was able to get a run across on a Jacy Ummel RBI single, but Riley Patton retired seven of the next eight to earn the complete game win.
 
GAME 2
Anthony got things going again for UNG in the nightcap, starting with a leadoff single in the fourth inning. After stealing second and advancing to third on a Warhawk error, Hammontree brought her home on a sacrifice fly to put North Georgia in front.
 
Anthony scored the game's second run as well, this time in the sixth inning on a solo bomb to left field.
 
Kylee Smith earned the win against AUM, going the full seven innings and striking out eight.
 
NOTES
- Anthony finished the day going 4-for-6 at the plate with three runs scored and a RBI out of the leadoff position in the lineup.
 
- North Georgia drew seven walks on the day, five of which came against Drury.
 
- UNG improves to 13-2 in season openers since joining the NCAA Division II ranks.
 
NEXT UP
The Nighthawks finish up play in the Gulf Shores Invitational tomorrow, battling West Alabama at 12:30 p.m. EST before a showdown with Mississippi College at 3 p.m. EST. The Choctaws are receiving votes in the preseason NFCA poll.