Softball team earns PBC regular-season title
The University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team used a late-season surge to earn its 12th consecutive Peach Belt Conference (PBC) regular-season championship. Sweeps of Middle Georgia State and Augusta vaulted the Nighthawks from a game behind Columbus State entering the final two weekends of PBC play to two games clear of the Cougars.
UNG will host the eight-team, single-elimination PBC tournament from May 8-10 at Haines and Carolyn Hill Stadium in Dahlonega, Georgia, in search of its first league tournament title since 2023. The No. 1 seed Nighthawks open the conference tournament against No. 8 seed Flagler at 4 p.m. May 8.
The Nighthawks, who are ranked No. 7 nationally, are 42-8 overall and finished 22-5 in PBC play in head coach Brooke O'Hair's second season in Dahlonega. They were No. 1 in the most recent Southeast Regional rankings, putting them in prime position to host a four-team, double-elimination pod in the opening weekend of the NCAA tournament.
"Winning the PBC regular-season title shows consistency and toughness over the course of a long season. In the Peach Belt, you must earn it every day," O'Hair said. "This accomplishment reflects our players' commitment to each other. The way they play for each other and for this program makes this title very special. At the same time, we understand this is just one step. We're grateful for it, but our focus is still on continuing to improve and make a deep postseason run."
Senior pitcher and infielder Chloe Poss leads UNG with 22 pitching victories, a 1.85 ERA and 138 strikeouts.
At the plate, Sydnee Reaves paces the Nighthawks with a .453 batting average, 17 home runs and 67 RBI, with Kayla Berry batting .400 and Morgan Martin tallying a .381 average with 12 home runs and 53 RBI.
PBC softball tournament
May 8
Game 1: No. 2 Columbus State vs No. 7 Augusta, 11 a.m.
Game 2: No. 3 GCSU vs No. 6 USC Beaufort, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: No. 1 North Georgia vs. No. 8 Flagler, 4 p.m.
Game 4: No. 4 Lander vs. No. 5 USC Aiken, 6:30 p.m.
May 9
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, noon
Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 2:30 p.m.
May 10
Game 7: PBC championship, Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, noon
Baseball team wins PBC regular-season title
The UNG baseball team has won its first outright Peach Belt Conference regular-season championship since 2017 and opens the PBC tournament May 1 against Middle Georgia.
Men's golf earns 6th straight NCAA bid
The UNG men's golf team has earned its sixth consecutive NCAA Division II postseason appearance and will compete in the South/Southeast Regional in Valdosta, Georgia.
Connell earns PBC individual golf title
UNG women's golf freshman Mackenzie Connell secured the individual Peach Belt Conference championship. Her team tied for second in PBC championship and now heads to the NCAA Division II South Regional.