DAHLONEGA - The No. 6 University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team erupted for 31 runs on Saturday, sweeping Valdosta State in run-rule fashion with a 14-6, five-inning victory in Game 1 and a 17-8, six-inning win in Game 2 at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium.

The Nighthawks (4-2) powered past the Blazers with timely hitting and multiple big innings, overcoming early deficits in both contests.

Game One: North Georgia 14, Valdosta State 6 (5 Inn.)

In the opener, Valdosta State struck first with a solo home run, but North Georgia responded immediately with an eight-run first inning. Carleigh Knowles opened the scoring with an RBI single, followed by a two-run single from Morgan Martin and a three-run double from Ava Lunsford. Lunsford later scored on an error before Chloe Poss capped the frame with an RBI to give UNG an 8-1 advantage.

The Blazers added another homer in the second, but the Nighthawks widened the gap with five more runs in the third, highlighted by RBIs from Jenna Miles, Martin and Lunsford to make it 13-3. Valdosta State cut into the lead with its third home run of the game, but Miles added an RBI to push the margin to 14-6.

Poss closed out the run-rule victory in the fifth after allowing a leadoff walk. She earned the win, pitching 3.1 innings plus the fifth and allowing five runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. Lila Mulinax recorded the final two outs of the fourth.

North Georgia totaled 14 hits in Game 1, led by three apiece from Miles and Knowles. Martin and Lunsford each drove in four runs.

Game Two: North Georgia 17, Valdosta State 8 (6 Inn.)

Valdosta State again jumped ahead early in Game 2 with a three-run homer in the first, but UNG answered with five runs in the bottom half, fueled by an RBI double from Miles, a three-run home run from Kayla Berry and a bases-loaded walk to Sydnee Reaves.

The Blazers reclaimed the lead with two runs in the second, but Knowles and Berry scored on pitching miscues to tie the game at 7-7. North Georgia added a run in the third before homers from Reaves and Martin extended the lead to 11-7 after five innings.

After Valdosta State scored in the sixth, the Nighthawks closed the game with a six-run bottom half. Clara Cherry started the rally with a two-run double, followed by RBIs from Martin and Kaitlyn Johnson. Berry later reached on an error that allowed Knowles to score, ending the game via run rule.

Caroline Conner started in the circle for UNG, allowing seven runs on six hits with four walks and four strikeouts over 4.1 innings. Graci West closed the game, tossing the final 1.2 innings and allowing one run on two hits with two strikeouts.

North Georgia finished with 11 hits in Game 2, led by Miles, who went 3-for-5.

The Nighthawks return to action Feb. 14-15, hosting Barry and Northwood in the Gold City Classic presented by Mizuno.