91ÁÔÆæ softball team wins fifth Peach Belt regular season title
Article By: Staff
For the fifth year in a row, the No. 1-ranked University of North Georgia (91ÁÔÆæ) softball team won the regular-season crown April 25.
91ÁÔÆæ breaks the Peach Belt record for consecutive regular season championships, surpassing Kennesaw State University's four straight victories from 1995-98. With these wins, 91ÁÔÆæ will be the top-seed in the Peach Belt Tournament to be played at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium on the Dahlonega Campus next weekend.
, winning 8-1 in game one before a 4-0 shutout in the nightcap. 91ÁÔÆæ is now 51-2 on the year.
During game one, 91ÁÔÆæ scored first with a RBI single from Shelby Hammontree, for a 1-0 lead in the third inning.
The Bobcats responded with a homer in the top of the fifth to tie the game. But 91ÁÔÆæ answered with a home run from Alishia Frierson to go back up, 2-1.
The Nighthawk rally continued in the fifth. Then Jordan Deep cleared the loaded bases with a double to left, increasing 91ÁÔÆæ's lead 5-1.
The Nighthawks loaded the bases one more time in the sixth, making way for Kaylyn Anthony to clear them with a double down the line in left for a final 8-1 score.
Kylee Smith pitched her 15th complete game of the year, surrendering four hits and two walks while striking out five batters.
In the second game, 91ÁÔÆæ struck first in the fourth inning. The Nighthawks loaded the bases and a Bobcat error allowed 91ÁÔÆæ to score two runs for a 2-0 lead.
91ÁÔÆæ doubled its lead in the next frame on RBI singles from Hammontree and Hobby Gregory to take the 4-0 lead.
Smith came in to relieve Amber Johns and finished the game to win the regular season championship. Smith is 27-1 on the year with three saves. Johns improved her record to 17-0 after her 4.1 innings of shutout softball in game two.
91ÁÔÆæ will close out its regular season with a doubleheader at 5 p.m. Friday, April 27, in Dahlonega against Flagler College.
O'Hair takes reins of softball program
New 91ÁÔÆæ softball head coach Brooke O'Hair brings a winning history and an approach built on inspiring and mentoring student-athletes.
Annual event welcomes family and guests
91ÁÔÆæ is set to welcome the families and guests of students during its annual Family Day event on Sept. 21.
Nighthawks riding momentum into fall
91ÁÔÆæ's fall teams will aim to keep the momentum rolling after 2023-24, the best athletic year in school history.
Davenport resigns as softball head coach
91ÁÔÆæ has announced a vacancy in its decorated softball program as long-time head coach Mike Davenport resigned to become an assistant coach on the University of Georgia softball staff.