CHATTANOOGA – In the opening round of the NCAA Division II Softball Championship in Frost Stadium at Warner Park, the No. 2 University of North Georgia softball team defeated sixth-seeded East Stroudsburg (43-18) 6-2, taking advantage and putting pressure on the Warrior defense.
The Nighthawks (60-6) were led at the plate by NFCA All-American
Sophie Mooney, with Mooney taking two of the biggest swings of the night, driving in two runs on two hits in the fourth and sixth innings.
It was 'Denton Day' in Chattanooga, and
Tybee Denton delivered again, retiring 15 of ESU's final 17 batters, earning her 20th win of the season, allowing two runs on three hits.
The top two batters in the lineup for UNG were crucial to the win, with
Jolie Lester registering two hits in four at-bats, scoring once and driving in one run, while
Madi Perry proved patient in the second spot of the order, walking twice and scoring both times.
Head Coach Mike Davenport
First and foremost, we are very excited and appreciative to the City of Chattanooga/Chattanooga Sports and Lee University for the first-class experience they are providing these student-athletes, coaches and fans in Chattanooga.
Game one is always tough in tournaments like this, you are playing one of the best eight teams in the country, and there will be some nerves playing on this stage. Tybee (Denton) did an unbelievable job settling in and scattering three hits against a very talented team. Offensively, Sophie (Mooney) really stepped up for us today, as well as her teammates.
We had some very competitive at-bats, and it doesn't always have to be the prettiest, but sometimes if you can put the ball in play, you can make some things happen.
Next Up
The Nighthawks will face second-seeded Central Oklahoma (53-7) in the second round of the winner's bracket on Friday (May 26) at 2:30 p.m. UCO opened up with a 5-1 victory over seventh-seeded Nova Southeastern.
