CHATTANOOGA – Advancing to the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championship series, the No. 2 University of North Georgia defeated 3rd-ranked and top-seeded UT Tyler (62-6) 2-0 after dropping a 3-1 decision in the first game of the day, forcing a win or go home scenario for the Nighthawks in the national semifinal.
Kristen Davis (W, 19-1) was phenomenal inside the circle, throwing a complete game shutout, allowing four hits and striking out four leading the way from start to finish.
A first-inning bases-loaded jam with one out was the sole cause for concern in the game for Davis as the Calhoun, Ga. native forced two straight outs, giving UNG the momentum they needed.
The top of the third is where the Nighthawks' lineup did its damage, as a
Jolie Lester single and a
Madi Perry walk to put two runners on with one out in the inning. The duo of
Sophie Mooney and
Hannah Forehand answered the call once again with a single by Mooney scoring Lester and a double by Forehand plating Perry to give the Nighthawks a 2-0 lead.
Another three-for-three day at the plate for Mooney in the second game led the team, driving in one RBI. She added onto a solid day in both games, hitting a left field shot in the first game to score the lone run for UNG in the 3-1 loss.
Forehand finished with one hit, but it was critical, giving Davis some much-needed cushion in the late innings.
Sydney Blair and Lester finished as one of four Nighthawks to earn a hit in the second game.
Next Up
North Georgia (62-7) heads to play for the National Championship, facing off against No. 8 Grand Valley State in the finals, set to begin on Tuesday (May 30) at 12:00 p.m. GVSU (48-6) defeated Central Oklahoma 3-2 on a walk-off single in their semifinal matchup. The Lakers have finished with a walk-off win in two of their three games in Chattanooga this week.
The championship series is a two-out-of-three format with one game on Tuesday followed by a second (and if game) on Wednesday.
