AMERICUS, Ga. – A late offensive push lifted the No. 5 University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team to a 6-4 extra-inning Peach Belt Conference victory over Georgia Southwestern on Friday.

The Nighthawks overcame an early deficit and used a three-run 11th inning to secure the win in the series opener.

Georgia Southwestern struck first in the opening inning, taking advantage of a North Georgia error to plate a run. The Nighthawks answered in the second as Marycille Brumby launched a solo home run to center field to even the score at 1-1.

The Hurricanes regained the lead in the fifth inning with a two-run homer, making it 3-1. North Georgia responded in the sixth when Carleigh Knowles delivered a two-run home run to center, scoring Sydnee Reaves and tying the game at 3-3.

After four scoreless innings, the Nighthawks broke through in the 11th. Knowles scored on a throwing error by the third baseman, while Reaves also crossed the plate on the play to give UNG a 5-3 advantage. Kayla Berry followed with an RBI double to left center, extending the lead to 6-3.

Georgia Southwestern added a solo home run in the bottom of the inning, but Chloe Poss entered in relief and recorded the final two outs to secure her first save of the season.

Knowles led the Nighthawks offensively with two RBI, while Jenna Miles went 2-for-4 at the plate. Reaves and Knowles each scored twice in the victory.

In the circle, Lila Mullinax (7-1) earned the win in relief, allowing one run over 3.1 innings. Caroline Conner tossed 2.2 scoreless innings, and Poss worked in two appearances, starting the game and re-entering in the last inning to close out the final two outs.

North Georgia will look to clinch the series in Saturday's doubleheader.