Nighthawks advance to NCAA championship

The University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team has punched its ticket to the NCAA Division II championship for the fifth time in six seasons.

UNG (51-9) is the No. 3 seed at the eight-team NCAA championship and plays its first game against No. 6 seed McKendree (48-15) at 6:30 p.m. May 28 at Frost Stadium at Warner Park in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Depending on the result in its opener, UNG will face either No. 2 seed Missouri Southern State (53-8) or No. 7 seed Glenville State (51-16) in its next game.

"This is what we have been working so hard for all year. Plenty of teams want a national title, but the dangerous ones are the ones that have the grit, effort and determination that our team has," sophomore designated player Carleigh Knowles said. "This team wants more than just a good season, and you can see it in how we compete and how much we have each other's backs."

The double-elimination opening portion of the NCAA championship concludes May 31, with two teams advancing to the best-of-three championship series set for June 2-3.

Head coach Brooke O'Hair has now guided the Nighthawks to the NCAA championship site in Chattanooga in each of her first two seasons. After 18 years as head coach at Mississippi College, O'Hair has tallied a 99-25 record thus far as the leader of the UNG program.

"It is the best of both worlds playing in Chattanooga — competing on the biggest stage in Division II, but with the comfort and support of the Nighthawk Nation right there with us," O'Hair said. "Our fans are some of the most passionate in the country. Because Frost Stadium is right up the highway, having that loud, hometown energy behind us in Tennessee is going to be a huge emotional lift for our girls."

North Georgia is in pursuit of its third softball national title after winning it all in 2015 and 2023, with the most recent championship coming in Chattanooga.

"We just need to continue staying true to ourselves. We play our best when we are loose, having fun and when we bring as much energy as possible onto the field," redshirt junior pitcher Caroline Conner said. "This is such a special group of girls, and I cannot wait to step out onto the field with them in Chattanooga."

The Nighthawks used a three-run triple from junior third baseman Journey Roberts to erase a 5-3 deficit and win 6-5 in their NCAA Super Regional opener against Francis Marion on May 21. A day later, Morgan Martin slammed three home runs and five RBI in an 8-2 victory that sealed the trip to Chattanooga.

Conner earned both Super Regional pitching wins, in relief in the opener and as the starter in the second game. Freshman Lila Mullinax pitched the final three innings of the second contest against Francis Marion to preserve the victory.

"It just shows how bought in our team is right now. All our pitchers stepped up and did their job when we needed them most, our defense stayed solid behind them, and we were able to piece our bats together at big moments. Everyone contributed in some way, and that's what made us so successful in the Super Regional," sophomore second baseman Jenna Miles said. "It gives us a lot of momentum and confidence moving forward into the World Series because we know what we’re capable of when we play together and trust each other."

The Nighthawks have ripped off six wins in a row since dropping their NCAA tournament opener against Lincoln Memorial on May 14. In those victories, they have outscored the opposition by a 49-19 count.