Softball team wins PBC, will host NCAA regional

The University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team secured its first Peach Belt Conference (PBC) tournament title in three seasons and will be the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional.

UNG (45-8) opens its four-team, double-elimination NCAA Southeast Regional pod against No. 8 seed Lincoln Memorial at 2 p.m. May 14 at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium in Dahlonega, Georgia. No. 4 seed Columbus State and No. 5 seed Lander, both PBC rivals, round out the pod.

"We have the ability to play together under pressure. We have a determination and grit to get the job done when we are faced with adversity. Our pitching staff and our defense are going to give everything they've got to keep other teams from scoring," junior third baseman Journey Roberts said. "Throughout our lineup, we pass the bat to the next player, trusting they will do a job to ultimately score us runs and win us games."

The Nighthawks overcame adversity multiple times in the PBC tournament. They erased a 4-0 deficit in a 6-5 quarterfinal win against Flagler, then defeated Lander 7-0 in the semifinals before breaking open a brief 5-5 tie in the championship game against Columbus State in a 10-5 victory.

Sophomore right fielder Kayla Berry earned PBC tournament MVP honors, totaling six hits, five walks and six runs scored across the three games.

"No matter what happens, we've always been good at keeping things lighthearted and fun. We won't get down on ourselves when something doesn't go our way. We'll make a joke and keep pushing on," Berry said. "We know that we have to work together to win and have each other's backs, and we can’t do that tense. So we stay loose and refocus on our goal. We have a great team environment that makes being successful fun, so we're going to shake the tough moments, move on and keep chasing after that success."

UNG's win against Columbus State avenged the Nighthawks' only PBC series loss this season. Now, the two teams could face off again in the regional.

"Winning the PBC tournament championship means everything to us. Over the past two years, we've come so close but fell short. So it is extra special this year. We've faced adversity, setbacks and challenges, but we never stopped believing in each other or the work we were putting in," said pitcher/infielder Chloe Poss, who earned a win and a save in the circle and totaled three hits and two RBI in the tournament. "This championship is a testament to our perseverance, resilience and the commitment we made to keep pushing forward even when things didn’t go our way. We have so much fun as a team, and it is just so fun to be part of a team that keeps on pushing through every obstacle and smiling while doing it."

This marks UNG's 10th PBC tournament championship in the past 13 events and 13th overall.

Sydnee Reaves  was named PBC Player of the Year, and Poss was PBC Pitcher of the Year.

Marycille Brumby, Morgan Martin, Carleigh Knowles, and Berry also earned all-conference honors.

In her second season at the helm, head coach Brooke O'Hair was named PBC Coach of the Year.