DAHLONEGA – The No. 3 University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team used a three-home run performance from Morgan Martin and timely offense throughout the lineup to defeat Francis Marion, 8-2, and advance to the NCAA Division II National Championship.
The Nighthawks piled up eight runs on 10 hits on the day to secure the Super Regional sweep.
North Georgia struck first in the second inning when Martin launched a solo home run to give the Nighthawks a 1-0 lead.
North Georgia added to the advantage in the third inning as Kayla Berry delivered a two-run double to center field, scoring Sydnee Reaves and Jenna Miles for a 3-0 lead.
Miles singled in the top of the fourth, extending the Nighthawks' lead to 4-0.
Francis Marion closed the gap with two RBI base knocks in the bottom of the fourth, but the Nighthawks quickly regained momentum in the next half inning. Martin brought the momentum back to North Georgia's side with her second home run of the day, putting the Nighthawks back in front by four.
Martin struck again in the seventh with her third homer of the afternoon, a two-run blast that scored Emma Hare and extended the Nighthawks' lead to 8-2 as Francis Marion came up to bat with its final three outs.
The Patriots put two runners on the bases before Lila Mullinax shut the door with a strikeout and a groundout, securing the 8-2 win for North Georgia.
In the circle, Caroline Conner earned the victory to improve to 14-1 on the season. She worked four innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out three. Mullinax tossed the final three innings in relief allowing just two hits.
Martin finished with three home runs and five RBI to lead the offense, while Berry added a pair of RBI with her third-inning double. Miles also drove in a run in the win.
The NCAA Division II National Championship will be held May 28 through June 3 at Frost Stadium at Warner Park in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
