GULF SHORES, Ala. – The No. 8 University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team suffered a slim 2-1 loss in its first game of the season against West Alabama (UWA) in the Gulf Shores Invitational in Gulf Shores, Ala.
The Nighthawks were originally scheduled to play two games Friday, one against Lubbock Christian and the other against West Alabama but after heavy rainfall in Gulf Shores delayed the start times continuously throughout the day, only one game was able to be played.
UNG took on the Tigers Friday as former infielder turned pitcher
Chloe Poss took the circle to start the game. The junior pitched all seven innings in the close one-run loss.
UWA struck first after a two-out, RBI single in the opening frame from Anna Marie Stanbridge made it 1-0 Tigers.
The Nighthawks responded quickly in the bottom of the inning. In fact, they responded as quickly as possible.
In the first UNG at bat under the guidance of newly minted head coach Brooke O'Hair, junior transfer
Sydnee Reaves pounded a solo home run to tie the game 1-1. It was a fitting blast as Reaves transferred to UNG from Montevallo last season. O'Hair, the former head coach at Mississippi College, coached against Reaves and Montevallo in the Gulf South Conference last year and knew she had to lure the talented outfielder to Dahlonega when Reaves popped up in the transfer portal.
With the game tied at 1-1 through the first inning, it appeared offense may lead to a victory on Friday night. Instead, both pitchers settled in over the next six innings.
Poss and UWA starter Madison Wright each went scoreless in the circle through the next two innings with only three combined base runners in that span.
Eventually, the Tigers broke through in the top of the fourth inning with an RBI single from Jessice Rose. It would be the final run scored in the game.
The Nighthawks did have a number of chances to tie or take the lead that ultimately fell short. In the bottom of the fourth, they loaded the bases with two outs before failing to score. In the fifth, they had runners and first and third base with two outs but could not score. They stranded a pair of runners once more in the sixth inning as well.
As the offense was able to pull through, UWA ultimately pulled out the close victory 2-1.
With the rain past, the Nighthawks are scheduled for three more games in the Gulf Shores Invitational, two of which take place tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 1. The first game is set for 10:30 a.m. against Florida Tech while the second takes place at 12:45 p.m. against Barry.
