Softball team finishes in top six nationally

The University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team finished among the nation's final six teams after a 1-2 record at the NCAA Division II championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

UNG battled to the end of a 1-0 eight-inning loss to national finalist McKendree in the teams' May 28 opener in the NCAA championship at Frost Stadium at Warner Park.

Then the Nighthawks bounced back with a 5-0 victory against Glenville State in an elimination game May 30 before falling 7-1 to Cal State San Marcos later that day in their season finale.

Redshirt junior Caroline Conner earned the pitching victory against Glenville State, tallying eight strikeouts in a complete game.

UNG, under second-year head coach Brooke O'Hair, finished 52-11 with a litany of accomplishments:

• Second eight-team NCAA championship appearance in a row and fifth in sixth years.
• Peach Belt Conference (PBC) tournament and regular-season championships.
• A 27-3 home record.
• A 16-4 road record.

O'Hair is now 100-27 in her first two seasons leading the program, including a 41-10 PBC regular-season record.

Senior Chloe Poss (24-7), Conner (15-1) and freshman Lila Mullinax (11-2) each compiled at least 11 pitching victories this season.

Senior Sydnee Reaves (.416) and sophomore Kayla Berry (.402) both batted over .400 for the Nighthawks, with Reaves (20), junior Morgan Martin (17), senior Marycille Brumby (12), and sophomore Carleigh Knowles (11) each tallying double-digit home runs.