51³Ô¹ÏÍø softball team wins fifth Peach Belt regular season title
Article By: Staff
For the fifth year in a row, the No. 1-ranked University of North Georgia (51³Ô¹ÏÍø) softball team won the regular-season crown April 25.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø breaks the Peach Belt record for consecutive regular season championships, surpassing Kennesaw State University's four straight victories from 1995-98. With these wins, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø will be the top-seed in the Peach Belt Tournament to be played at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium on the Dahlonega Campus next weekend.
, winning 8-1 in game one before a 4-0 shutout in the nightcap. 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is now 51-2 on the year.
During game one, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø scored first with a RBI single from Shelby Hammontree, for a 1-0 lead in the third inning.
The Bobcats responded with a homer in the top of the fifth to tie the game. But 51³Ô¹ÏÍø answered with a home run from Alishia Frierson to go back up, 2-1.
The Nighthawk rally continued in the fifth. Then Jordan Deep cleared the loaded bases with a double to left, increasing 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's lead 5-1.
The Nighthawks loaded the bases one more time in the sixth, making way for Kaylyn Anthony to clear them with a double down the line in left for a final 8-1 score.
Kylee Smith pitched her 15th complete game of the year, surrendering four hits and two walks while striking out five batters.
In the second game, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø struck first in the fourth inning. The Nighthawks loaded the bases and a Bobcat error allowed 51³Ô¹ÏÍø to score two runs for a 2-0 lead.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø doubled its lead in the next frame on RBI singles from Hammontree and Hobby Gregory to take the 4-0 lead.
Smith came in to relieve Amber Johns and finished the game to win the regular season championship. Smith is 27-1 on the year with three saves. Johns improved her record to 17-0 after her 4.1 innings of shutout softball in game two.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø will close out its regular season with a doubleheader at 5 p.m. Friday, April 27, in Dahlonega against Flagler College.
Nighthawks wrap up season in Sweet 16
The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø women's soccer team fell 2-0 to Columbus State University in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championship Dec. 1.
Women's soccer team makes Sweet 16
The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø women's soccer team punched its ticket to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016 with a 1-0 victory against Lander University on Nov. 24.
Nighthawks make NCAA tournament
The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø women's soccer team has earned the No. 3 seed in the Southeast Region of the NCAA Division II tournament, marking its fourth consecutive postseason appearance.
Basketball teams aim high in 2024-25
The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø men’s and women’s basketball teams tip off their seasons in early November. Both teams return all-conference performers as they aim for national and PBC supremacy.