MADISON, Ala. – The No. 11 University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team pulled out a 2-1 win against Alabama Huntsville (UAH) in the Rocket City Softball Showcase in Madison, Ala. Tuesday evening.
In the first ever game at Toyota Field, home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas, the Double-A affiliate of the MLB's Los Angeles Angels, UNG relied on key defensive plays to take down the Chargers.
All three runs in the game were scored in the first inning as the visiting Nighthawks got a run in the top of the first from freshman catcher
Carleigh Knowles as she singled to right field to bring in junior center fielder
Sydnee Reaves.
UAH tied the game in the home half of the inning on an RBI single.
UNG's first big defensive play in the game came on the only scoring play from the Chargers as Sydney Harris singled to center field to bring in a run. As Reaves fielded the ball, UAH sent Alexa Douthitt home in an attempt to take an early lead. Instead, Reaves fired a throw to Knowles who fielded it in plenty of time and tagged Douthitt before she could reach the plate. The highlight play kept the game tied while also ending the inning with a runner in scoring position for UAH.
Then in the top of the second, junior first baseman
Marycille Brumby doubled to right center to bring in senior two-way player
Angelina Badalament.
Badalament pitched a complete game in her fifth victory of the year while also going 1-for-3 with a run and a walk at the plate.
Both teams were held scoreless the rest of the game but not without a pressing effort from the Chargers.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, UAH had runners on first and second with nobody out as it threatened to tie the game.
Instead, sophomore third baseman
Journey Roberts made a heads up play as she fielded a grounder and turned around to step on the third-base bag and force out the lead runner.
However, a single in the next at bat from Maddie Cartron then loaded the bases with one out.
Roberts again made a tremendous play to get UNG out of the inning.
Charger designated player Sydney Harris grounded the ball to third where Roberts scooped it up. She threw home for the second out as Knowles caught the ball with a foot on the plate for the force out. Knowles then turned and fired the ball to first base to complete the double play and rid the Nighthawks of the bases loaded jam.
Badalament pitched another scoreless inning in the seventh as UNG held on for the 2-1 win.
The Nighthawks will return home this weekend for a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 22 against Saginaw Valley State. The twin billing at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium at Lynn Cottrell Park begins at 12 p.m.
