DAHLONEGA – The No. 8 University of North Georgia softball team took a 1-0 series lead in the 2024 NCAA Southeast Super Regional after an 11-3, five inning win over No. 22 Lenoir-Rhyne at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium at Lynn Cottrell Park Tuesday afternoon.
In a blockbuster pitching matchup between senior Tybee Denton and LR's two-way pitcher Lauren Rakes, both teams exchanged early blows that aided in the removal of each team's starters.
After back-to-back walks to open the game, an RBI double from Bears' right fielder Cassidy Wall struck first blood for LR.
Sophomore first baseman Marycille Brumby answered back in the bottom of the opening inning with her sixth home run of the season. On a 1-0 pitch, Brumby towered her first postseason homer over the right field wall, bringing home senior center fielder Mallory Parker in the process to put UNG up 2-1.
The Bears were not done scoring the second inning, however. After two strikeouts and a walk in the first three batters, LR strung together three straight singles as it was second baseman and NFCA All-Region selection Julia Mardigian who brought home a pair of runs to reclaim the lead for the Bears at 3-2.
Then, Nighthawk junior shortstop Rylie Moody led off the bottom of the frame with a double. In a genius play, senior left fielder Mariah Wicker then reached on a bunt single to move Moody over to first. Wicker then continued towards second base, drawing the defense's attention away from Moody. As Wicker intentionally got herself in a pickle, Moody skated home to tie the game at 3-3.
Senior pitcher Kristen Davis then took over in the circle to start the third inning. Head coach Mike Davenport pushed the right button by inserting Davis as she worked out of a bases loaded jam to put the game's first zero on the board.
The UNG offense took advantage of a scoreless third inning from LR, breaking the game open in the home half of the inning.
Senior catcher Georgia Blair led things off with a double before Brumby then worked a one-out walk. Senior right fielder Madison Simmons was then hit by a pitch to juice the bases.
Redshirt freshman Tagen Levao-Maisonet stepped up to the plate for the second time after unsuccessfully reaching base in a whopping 16-pitch at bat in the first inning.
Levao-Maisonet faced Faith Carrigan who took over for Rakes after head coach Shena Hollar decided to pull the starter after plunking Simmons. Levao-Maisonet only needed five pitches this time before singling to shallow left center to score a run.
Moody then stepped up with the bases still loaded. She rifled a single back up the middle to score a pair of runs. The throw from centerfield was cut off by LR first baseman Laura Beth Wood who then tried to throw out Levao-Maisonet who was chugging for third base. The throw sailed past the bag and into left field, allowing Levao-Maisonet to score. Moody then sped towards third base as no one was backing up the throw. She turned the corner and danced her way home, celebrating UNG's third inside-the-park home run of the last two games.
Moody crossed the plate as the Nighthawks' fifth run in the inning, breaking the game open at 8-3.
After being held scoreless in the fourth, UNG finished the job in the fifth inning. Levao-Maisonet led off the inning with another single, her second hit of the day. Then Moody reached on a bunt single to complete a 3-for-3 day at the plate. Junior infielder Grayson Perry then brought home Levao-Maisonet on a pinch-hit single. In the next at bat, sophomore second baseman Katie Ward looped a ball over second base allowing Moody to score and pull UNG within a run of a run rule victory at 10-3.
Parker ended the game as she flared a single down the right field line to plate Wicker and seal the 11-3 victory.
The offensive onslaught was complete. All nine Nighthawk hitters reached base Tuesday and eight of them tallied at least one hit. Moody led the charge at the plate with her three hits. She scored in all three appearances on the base path and tied a team-best with two RBI. Brumby also had a pair of RBI on her first-inning blast. She reached via a walk in her two other plate appearances.
Now, UNG is one win away from its fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division II Softball Championships. The Nighthawks will face the Bears again tomorrow, Wednesday, May 15 at 12 p.m. from Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium. Should LR win tomorrow's first game, a decisive third game of the series will be played 30 minutes after.
