DAHLONEGA – Needing to win both games in the semifinals to advance to the Peach Belt Conference Championship series, the No. 2 University of North Georgia softball team did just that, defeating USC Aiken 10-2 and 10-3 in consecutive games at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium at Lynn Cottrell Park to move on to the next round.
The Nighthawks had the lead in all but one of the 13 innings played on the day, taking an early lead in the first inning of the first game and then again in the second inning of the second game, holding the lead throughout in both.
North Georgia 10, USC Aiken 2
The top three hitters in the order reached base nine times in 10 at-bats, including a leadoff homerun by
Jolie Lester to kick off the scoring on the day. Lester finished with two hits, one walk, and one RBI, scoring three times in the game.
Madi Perry matched Lester's hit total with two, scoring twice and earning one walk.
Sophie Mooney was the benefactor of Lester and Perry reaching base as Mooney led the team offensively by earning three hits and three RBIs, scoring twice.
Sydney Blair joined the trio at the top of the order by adding two hits, scoring once and driving in two runs.
Tybee Denton (W, 16-1) picked up a bounce-back victory finishing with five innings pitched, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out nine batters.
North Georgia 10, USC Aiken 3
Much of the same in the second game, with the top of the order reaching base eight times, this time
Hannah Forehand did the majority of the damage, logging four RBIs on two hits, most notably a three-run blast to left field in the fifth to give the Nighthawks a six-run lead.
Mooney and Lester finished with two hits while Perry added three, combining for five runs, with Forehand driving each Nighthawk in once.
Madison Simmons and
Georgia Blair added to the run production by driving in two runs, with Simmons reaching base in each trip to the plate.
Kristen Davis (W, 14-1) threw all seven innings, allowing three runs while striking out seven batters.
Next Up
The Nighthawks (52-6) will face Columbus State in Columbus, Ga. for the PBC Championship Series on May 5-6.
