CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The No. 3-seeded University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team opened the NCAA Division II Softball Championship with a 1-0 extra-inning loss to No. 6 seed McKendree University Thursday night at Frost Stadium.
The Nighthawks stranded 10 runners and were unable to break through despite collecting nine hits against McKendree.
North Georgia threatened throughout the night, recording multiple hits in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings, but could not capitalize with runners in scoring position.
Chloe Poss allowed just one run on six hits while striking out one across eight innings of work.
The game remained scoreless until the top of the eighth inning when the Bearcats capitalized on a two-out RBI single to give McKendree the game's lone run.
North Georgia put the tying run on base in the bottom of the eighth, but the Bearcats closed out the victory to advance in the winner's bracket.
Jenna Miles and Kayla Berry each recorded two hits for the Nighthawks, while Ava Lunsford, Morgan Martin, Carleigh Knowles, Marycille Brumby and Journey Roberts added one hit apiece.
The Nighthawks continue play in the NCAA Division II Softball Championship on Saturday in an elimination game against No. 7 seed Glenville State. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
