DAHLONEGA – The final day of the UNG Leadoff Classic saw the No. 1 University of North Georgia softball team outscore the opposition 16-1 en route to a pair of wins at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium at Lynn Cottrell Park on Sunday.
North Georgia blasted UNC Pembroke 10-1 in five innings before blanking Lenoir-Rhyne 6-0 in the event's final game.
The Nighthawks (11-2) return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 21 with a non-conference doubleheader with King (Tenn.). First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
Game #1: No. 1 North Georgia 10, UNC Pembroke 1
Senior
Tybee Denton was dominant in the circle punching out 10 UNCP hitters over five innings of work to help power the Nighthawks to the 10-1 win in five innings.
In addition to her 10 strikeouts, Denton (4-1) went five innings, giving up one run on one hit and walking none for North Georgia.
Senior
Sophie Mooney led the way offensively for the Nighthawks, going 3-for-3 in the ballgame with a double, a walk and three RBI. Junior
Jolie Lester furnished a standout performance at the plate as well, going 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI. Senior
Mallory Parker also contributed, going 1-for-3 for North Georgia with a home run, a walk and two RBI.
The Nighthawks got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning putting up five runs, including a two-run home run off the bat of Parker.
In the third, North Georgia pushed two runs across on a two-run double off the bat of Lester that brought home senior Gracie Mixon and freshman
Rylie Moody, which brought the Nighthawks' lead to 7-1.
In the fifth, North Georgia recorded three runs with two of them coming across on a two-run single off the bat of Mooney.
Game #2: No. 1 North Georgia 6, Lenoir-Rhyne 0
Seniors
Kristen Davis and
Sophie Mooney combined to throw a shutout to cap the classic and lead UNG to a 6-0 win over Lenoir-Rhyne.
Davis (5-0) started and picked up the win for North Georgia, going six shutout innings while giving up one hit, walking six, and striking out three. She did not allow a L-R hit until the sixth inning.
Mooney pitched strong out of the bullpen as well, going one shutout inning, allowing one hit, walking none and striking out one.
Offensively, the Nighthawks were led by senior
Mariah Wicker, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a triple and three RBI. Mooney compiled a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Sophomore
Marycille Brumby also contributed for North Georgia, putting together two hits in two trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.
The Nighthawks took the lead for good in the second putting up four runs, including a three-run triple off the bat of Wicker.
UNG also added runs in the third and fourth innings on the way to the 6-0 victory.
