Softball team punches Super Regional ticket

It took an extra day and battling through the losers' bracket, but the University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team would not be denied a spot in the NCAA Division II Southeast Super Regional.

Avenging a loss earlier in their Southeast Regional pod and a season-ending defeat from a season ago, the No. 2 seed Nighthawks advanced with 10-6 and 6-4 victories against Lenoir-Rhyne University. The clinching win started on May 10 and finished May 11 due to persistent rainstorms. UNG (46-13) moves on to face top-seeded Francis Marion University in the May 15-16 Southeast Super Regional in Florence, South Carolina. Games will be held at 1 p.m. each day in the best-of-three series, with a third game at 4 p.m. May 16 if necessary.

"These young ladies have been faced with challenges all year long, and every time a new challenge hit them, they faced it head-on. The regional tournament was no different," first-year head coach Brooke O'Hair said. "Challenges were thrown their way, and they accepted each challenge and dominated them. And together they walked away regional champions. I’m so very proud of each young lady and the heart, passion and grit they showed throughout the tournament."

Ranked second in the country, Francis Marion enters the Super Regional with a 52-4 record. Half of the Patriots' losses this season came in a Feb. 8 doubleheader sweep against Peach Belt Conference opponent Augusta University. UNG ended Francis Marion's 2024 season in NCAA Southeast Regional play.

In addition to the wins against Lenoir-Rhyne, UNG also secured 6-1 and 7-1 victories against Tusculum in the May 8-11 regional pod.

"We stayed locked in, leaned on each other and kept the faith, knowing the work we've put in all season would pay off," senior infielder Rylie Moody said. "Getting to a Super Regional is incredibly exciting. It's what we've worked for all year, through the highs and lows, and it feels like everything is coming full circle. This opportunity means everything — not just for us as athletes, but as teammates who never stopped believing in one another." 

Freshman pitcher Graci West (6-1) tossed five scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in the clinching matchup with Lenoir-Rhyne. She earned the save a day earlier in the first victory against the Bears with 3 2/3 innings of relief in which she allowed one run. West also earned the complete-game pitching win in the elimination game May 9 against Tusculum.

Junior pitcher and designated hitter Chloe Poss (19-4) secured pitching victories in the tournament opener against Tusculum and in the first of the two wins against Lenoir-Rhyne.  

Poss had two RBIs in the clinching game, with junior outfielders Natalie Ray and Sydnee Reaves each going 2-for-3.