UNG 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 (UNG) softball team won the Peach Belt Conference regular-season crown April 25.
UNG breaks the Peach Belt record for consecutive regular season championships, surpassing Kennesaw State University's four straight victories from 1995-98. With these wins, UNG will be the top-seed in the Peach Belt Tournament to be played at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium on the Dahlonega Campus next weekend.
The Nighthawks claimed the conference title by sweeping No. 20 Georgia College in a doubleheader, winning 8-1 in game one before a 4-0 shutout in the nightcap. UNG is now 51-2 on the year.
During game one, UNG 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 UNG 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 UNG'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, UNG struck first in the fourth inning. The Nighthawks loaded the bases and a Bobcat error allowed UNG to score two runs for a 2-0 lead.
UNG 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.
UNG will close out its regular season with a doubleheader at 5 p.m. Friday, April 27, in Dahlonega against Flagler College.
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