DAHLONEGA - The No. 2 University of North Georgia softball team will again play inside the friendly confines of Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium at Lynn Cottrell Park as they welcome No. 16 Southern Indiana on Saturday and WIngate on Sunday for a pair of doubleheaders.
The Nighthawks have opened the season with a 6-0 start, garnering a first place vote in the latest NFCA Top 25. Last weekend, UNG took down West Florida and Hillsdale in a pair of twinbills in Dahlonega.
Southern Indiana comes in to open their season this weekend against Wingate Friday. Picked to finish second in the GLVC, the Eagles will have to replace star pitcher Jennifer Leonhardt, who was named the MVP of the 2018 NCAA Division II Softball Championship. USI returns 12 players from last year's COVID-19 shortened season after going 15-4 in 2020. That record included a 5-0 loss to UNG in Dahlonega.
Wingate is 4-2 on the year, coming off a doubleheader sweep of Concord in the home openr for the Bulldogs. Having split with Barton and Augusta on the road, WU will take on USI in the weekend opener Friday afternoon in Dahlonega before headed to a doubleheader at No. 5 Young Harris Saturday.
UNG Athletics will continue to offer complimentary admission to baseball, softball and soccer but will limit venue capacity at each facility based on available socially distant spaces. Admission to events will be capped when all marked seating in the bleachers and common areas for standing/chairs is occupied. UNG adjusted the seating configuration to adhere to social distancing guidelines in all facilities, with Nighthawks Athletic Club members (All-Region level or higher) and UNG students having top priority in the process. Rows, seats and common viewing areas are marked to maintain six feet of separation between attendees, who are not members of the same party.
To promote and prioritize the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches and game day personnel, fans will not be allowed to stand against the perimeter fence of each field/court to include the foul lines at baseball and softball and the stadium sideline at soccer. All policies are subject to change in accordance with national, state and local guidelines. Masks/face coverings are required for entry into the facility and must be worn at all times while inside the facility unless actively eating or drinking. Any individual who does not comply with this policy will be asked to leave the facility. The concessions stand will feature a reduced menu of pre-packaged items. Aramark Catering will accept both cash and credit cards.
Fans unable to attend in person can watch the action live and on-demand courtesy of the Nighthawk Sports Network.
