GREENWOOD, S.C. – The No. 5 University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team split a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader with Lander on Saturday, dropping the opener before rallying for an extra-inning win in game two.
Game One: Lander 4, North Georgia 2
North Georgia struck early but could not hold off a midgame surge from Lander in a 4-2 loss in the opener.
The Nighthawks (24-5, 6-2 PBC) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as
Sydnee Reaves blasted a solo home run to right field.
Marycille Brumby extended the advantage in the third with a solo shot to center, giving UNG a 2-0 edge.
Lander answered in the bottom of the third, taking advantage of a passed ball to cut the deficit to one. The Bearcats then broke through in the fourth, using a three-run double to take a 4-2 lead.
UNG was limited to just two hits after the third inning and could not mount a comeback. Brumby paced the offense, going 3-for-3 at the plate.
Caroline Conner (4-1) took the loss in relief, allowing three runs in 1.1 innings of work.
Game Two: North Georgia 3, Lander 2 (10 inn.)
North Georgia bounced back in game two, using extra innings and a clutch home run to secure a 3-2 victory.
The Nighthawks opened the scoring in the first inning on an RBI fielder's choice from
Morgan Martin, bringing home Reaves for a 1-0 lead. Martin added to the advantage in the fourth with a solo home run to right center, pushing the lead to 2-0.
Lander chipped away with an unearned run in the fourth before tying the game in the seventh on a solo home run, forcing extra innings.
After a scoreless ninth inning that saw Lander load the bases with one out,
Chloe Poss worked out of the jam with back-to-back groundouts to keep the game tied.
In the 10th,
Carleigh Knowles delivered the decisive blow, launching a go-ahead solo home run to left field to give UNG a 3-2 lead.
Poss (15-2) earned the complete-game victory, tossing all 10 innings while allowing two runs on eight hits with 10 strikeouts.
Martin led the offense, going 3-for-5 with two RBI, while Knowles provided the game-winning hit.
North Georgia returns to action March 24 with a nonconference doubleheader against Shorter at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium.
