GREENWOOD, S.C. – An eight-run third inning propelled the No. 5 University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team to a 13-1 victory over Lander in game one of its Peach Belt Conference series Friday night.
The Nighthawks (24-4, 6-1 PBC) entered the weekend sitting in second place in the PBC standings behind Lander (18-8, 6-1 PBC), whose unbeaten streak in conference play came to an end with North Georgia's run-rule victory. The win flipped the standings and pushed North Georgia to the top of the Peach Belt Conference.
North Georgia's offense came out to a fast start, scoring twice in the top of the first inning courtesy of two RBI singles off the bats of
Morgan Martin and
Kayla Berry to bring home
Sydnee Reaves and
Marycille Brumby.
Chloe Poss, earning her 14
th start in the circle for the Nighthawks, shut down the Bearcats in order in the home half of the first to bring the North Georgia bats back to the plate.
Reaves delivered an RBI double to bring home
Journey Roberts that extended the Nighthawks' lead to 3-0 in the second inning.
The North Georgia offense exploded for eight runs in the third inning, capitalizing on clutch hitting and defensive miscues from the Bearcats.
Brumby and Martin opened the inning with back-to-back singles, placing two runners on base with no outs.
Ava Lunsford reached on a Lander error that scored Brumby, pushing the lead to 4-0.
Kaitlyn Johnson followed with a one-out single to load the bases.
Roberts reached on another Lander error as Martin came into score the Nighthawks' fifth run. Reaves worked a bases-loaded walk to bring home Lunsford and make it 6-0.
Carleigh Knowles broke the game open with a bases-clearing double to extend the lead to 9-0. She later scored on an RBI double from Brumby. The inning continued as Martin doubled to score
Emma Hare who was pinch-running for Brumby, capping the eight-run frame.
Lander got on the board with a solo home run in the bottom of the third but still trailed by 10 runs.
The Nighthawks added to their lead in the fourth inning as a two-run home run from Reaves put North Georgia in front by 12.
Poss worked three innings to earn her 14
th win, allowing one run on one hit while facing 11 batters.
Caroline Conner entered in relief and retired all six batters she faced.
Reaves paced the North Georgia offense, going a perfect 3-3 at the plate with four RBI. Martin and Brumby both recorded multi-hit performances as the Nighthawks finished with 12 hits.
North Georgia looks to clinch the series in Saturday's doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.
