Softball team punches ticket to NCAA championship

The University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team is headed back to the NCAA Division II championship for the second year in a row. UNG (47-16) enters the eight-team championship round as the No. 7 seed and faces second-seeded Adelphi University at 6 p.m. May 26 in Denver.

On May 27, the winner of that opener will face the victor between third-seeded Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) and sixth-seeded Seton Hill University. The NCAA championship also includes No. 1 seed University of Texas at Tyler, No. 4 seed Southern Indiana University, No. 5 seed Rogers State University, and No. 8 seed Cal State University, Dominguez Hills.

Two teams will advance from the double-elimination eight-team bracket to a best-of-three national title series.

"I am extremely proud of what this group of 21 student-athletes has accomplished this season. To see the growth in them as a team since the beginning of last fall has been very rewarding," UNG softball head coach Mike Davenport said. "They have worked hard, not only at the sport of softball, but at becoming a true team that represents our program and the North Georgia uniform. We have had so many different players have their time to shine and help their team be successful this spring, and this past weekend was no different."

We have had so many different players have their time to shine and help their team be successful this spring, and this past weekend was no different.

Mike Davenport

UNG softball head coach

UNG was not about to let a little adversity get in the way of returning to Denver in pursuit of a national championship. After dropping the second game of their Super Regional Series against Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), the Nighthawks earned a 4-1 eight-inning victory on May 20 to punch their NCAA championship ticket.

On May 19, UNG opened the Super Regional with a five-inning 9-1 triumph against LMU. The Railsplitters evened the series with a 3-1 win on May 20 before the Nighthawks' victory in the finale.

An RBI single by Hannah Forehand and a two-run home run by Jaycie Michael in the eighth inning proved decisive for UNG in the clinching victory. Jordan Warzynski picked up the pitching win with 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and four strikeouts.

Forehand had a two-run homer and Jolie Lester added three RBIs in the 9-1 win, in which Kristen Davis pitched four innings to earn the victory.

The softball team is one of multiple UNG programs to excel this spring. Here are a few of the other highlights:

Gurley aims for another title: Journey Gurley will have a chance to defend her 2021 national pole vault title. The UNG student-athlete qualified for the NCAA Division II outdoor track and field championship in Allendale, Michigan, and will compete at 12:30 p.m. May 28. Gurley is seeded sixth in the event with a mark of 4.15 meters.

Men's golf team 11th at nationals: The UNG men's golf team finished 11th at the NCAA Division II national championship in Dearborn, Michigan, and Grant Crowell tied for 11th individually at 5-over 221.

Also in the top 30 individually for the Nighthawks was Evan Thompson, who tied for 29th at 10-over 226.

The Nighthawks shot the second-best round of the final day at 7-over 295, finishing just three shots outside of the top 10.

Men's golf head coach Bryson Worley was also named one of five finalists for the Golf Coaches Association of America Division II Dave Williams Award for national coach of the year.

Ananthasane named All-American: For the second year in a row, women's golfer Maddie Ananthasane earned second-team Women's Golf Coaches Association All-American honors. The sophomore from Dacula, Georgia, earned her second Peach Belt Conference (PBC) tournament individual title and was PBC Player of the Year.