DAHLONEGA – The No. 8 University of North Georgia softball team had five players named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) 2024 Southeast All-Region Teams as announced by the association Thursday afternoon. 

Senior pitcher Tybee Denton, senior catcher Georgia Blair, senior infielder Sophie Mooney and junior outfielder Jolie Lester were all named to the All-Region First Team while senior outfielder Mallory Parker was named to the Second Team. 

With five selections in total, the Nighthawks had the most selections of any team in the Southeast region. UNG was also one of only three Peach Belt Conference teams to have players earn regional acclaim. The Nighthawks were joined by Lander and Georgia College. 

Denton was a clear favorite for the All-Region First Team and is still up for the Southeast Region Pitcher of the Year Award. The PBC Pitcher of the Year currently leads the region in ERA (1.69), starts (30), hits allowed per seven innings (4.19), shutouts (10), and wins (26). She's also top-15 in the region in strikeouts (fifth - 204), complete games (second, 21) and WHIP (11th - 1.18). 

Denton's battery mate, Blair, has not only been stellar behind the plate for UNG, but when standing next to it as well. The PBC All-Conference First Team selection ranks sixth in the region in home runs (17), fourth in slugging percentage (.813), seventh in total bases (130), 11th in on base percentage (.487) and 10th in RBI (58). Blair dominated the competition in the month of April when she posted a 1.749 OPS with 10 HR and 23 RBI. 

Despite both missing time with injuries, Mooney and Lester were recognized as still being two of the best players in the region. 

Mooney has continued to be one of the best offensive players and relief pitchers in the region. Even though she's only played in 37 games, she still ranks 12th in region in doubles (16) and 15th in stolen bases (22). Despite not pitching since Feb. 25, she also ranks third with three saves.

While Lester participated in just 27 games before being ruled out for the season, she was on pace to be one of the best offensive players in the country. The junior was trending towards 68 runs, 82 hits and a .450 batting average, all of which would rank in the top-5 in the region currently. She was also on pace for 36 RBI, 98 total bases and 24 stolen bases.

Parker rounded out the NFCA selections on the All-Region Second Team after her outstanding season at the plate as well. Parker currently leads her team and ranks 10th in the region in on base percentage (.492). She also leads UNG in walks (29) and stolen bases (18). The Kennesaw, Ga. native also ranks second among Nighthawks hitters in batting average (.373), runs scored (38), hits (56), RBI (36), home runs (7) and total bases (89). 

In UNG's six postseason games thus far this season, Parker leads the team with seven RBI and six walks while ranking third on the team with a .429 average (6-for-14). She also has yet to strike out in the postseason.

This season marks the 15th consecutive year UNG has had at least one or more players selected to the NFCA All-Region Teams. Five selections are the most the Nighthawks have had in a single season since 2021. 

The quintet of all-region selections will look to earn more postseason acclaim for UNG as the Nighthawks begin their quest for a third National Championship today with the 2024 NCAA Softball Southeast Regional Tournament. Second-seeded UNG takes on seventh-seeded Flagler from host site Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium at Lynn Cottrell Park today, Thursday, May 9 at 2 p.m.