SALISBURY, N.C. - Behind a pair of complete-game performances in the circle and timely swings at the plate, the No. 8 University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team swept Catawba on Saturday, claiming a 5-3 win in game one and an 8-2 victory in game two.
Game One - North Georgia 5, Catawba 3
North Georgia erased an early deficit behind timely hitting and a complete-game performance from
Chloe Poss to open the day with a 5-3 win.
The Nighthawks struck first in the opening inning when
Marycille Brumby singled to right field to score
Sydnee Reaves. Catawba answered immediately, with two unearned runs later in the inning before adding a solo home run in the second to take a 3-1 lead.
North Georgia responded in the third inning with the decisive swing of the game.
Carleigh Knowles launched a three-run homer to left center, scoring
Jenna Miles and
Journey Roberts to put the Nighthawks back in front, 4-3.
UNG added insurance in the fifth as
Morgan Martin delivered an RBI single to center, bringing home Knowles for the final margin.
Poss (6–1) controlled the game from there, allowing five hits and three runs across seven innings while striking out seven and issuing two walks. Knowles finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs to lead the offense.
Game Two - North Georgia 8, Catawba 2
North Georgia carried its momentum into the second game, using power hitting and another dominant pitching outing to secure the sweep.
Brumby again set the tone early, driving in Miles with a first-inning single before adding a solo home run in the third to extend the lead to 2-0.
The Nighthawks broke the game open in the fourth when
Journey Roberts hit a two-run homer to center field, scoring
Ava Lunsford and pushing the advantage to four runs. Catawba answered with solo home runs in the fourth and sixth innings but never drew closer.
UNG added to its lead in the sixth on a sacrifice bunt by Miles that plated Lunsford, then pulled away in the seventh. Lunsford doubled to left center to score
Kayla Berry, and Roberts followed with a two-run single to cap the scoring.
Lila Mullinax (3–0) earned the win with a complete-game effort, allowing five hits and two runs while striking out nine and walking one.
Brumby paced the offense with a 3-for-4 performance and two RBIs, while Lunsford went 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Roberts finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs, highlighted by her two-run homer and late insurance single.
North Georgia returns to action Sunday in the series finale against Catawba. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
