YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Late-inning execution and a standout day from
Sydnee Reaves powered the No. 5 University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team to a doubleheader sweep at Young Harris on Saturday.
Game 1: North Georgia 8, Young Harris 2 (8 inn.)
North Georgia broke open a tied game with a six-run eighth inning to defeat Young Harris, 8-2, in the opener.
The Nighthawks struck first in the second inning when
Sydnee Reaves delivered a two-run single to center field, scoring
Ava Lunsford and
Kayla Berry for an early 2-0 lead.
Young Harris chipped away with a run in the third and tied the game in the seventh on an RBI single, forcing extra innings before North Georgia's offense erupted.
The Nighthawks capitalized on momentum in the eighth, beginning with a two-run single from
Marycille Brumby that reclaimed the lead. Berry followed with an RBI single, and Lunsford added a run-scoring groundout to extend the advantage.
North Georgia continued to pressure defensively, as Reaves reached on an error that brought home two additional unearned runs to cap the six-run frame.
Reaves led the offense, finishing 3-for-5 with four RBI.
In the circle,
Chloe Poss started and allowed two runs across 6.2 innings while keeping the Nighthawks within striking distance.
Lila Mullinax earned the win, improving to 4-0 after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings in relief.
Game 2: North Georgia 5, Young Harris 2
North Georgia again relied on late offense, scoring three runs in the seventh inning to pull away for a 5-2 victory and complete the sweep.
After four scoreless innings, the Nighthawks broke through in the fifth when
Journey Roberts singled home
Kayla Berry. Reaves followed with an RBI double to give North Georgia a 2-0 advantage.
Young Harris answered in the bottom half with a two-run single to even the score, but the Nighthawks regained control late.
In the seventh, Reaves delivered again with an RBI single that pushed North Georgia back in front. The Nighthawks added insurance runs on consecutive defensive miscues, as
Clara Cherry and
Carleigh Knowles each reached on errors that allowed two unearned runs to score.
Reaves paced the offense once more, going 2-for-4 with two RBI.
Lila Mullinax started and allowed two runs over 5.1 innings before
Chloe Poss closed the game with 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the win and improve to 8-1 on the season.
North Georgia returns to action March 3, taking on Lincoln Memorial in a doubleheader at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
