DAHLONEGA – The No. 6 University of North Georgia softball team suffered its first loss of the 2024 NCAA Softball Southeast Regional to third-seeded Francis Marion in a 2-1, nine inning defeat on Friday. However, the Nighthawks rebounded with a 9-0, five inning win over seventh-seeded Flagler to keep their tournament hopes alive. 

With the win over the Saints, the Nighthawks will have a chance at revenge over Francis Marion on Saturday at 12 p.m. at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium at Lynn Cottrell Park. 

Game one: Patriots def. Nighthawks, 2-1 (9 Inn.) 

Day two of the Southeast Regional was a battle between two aces in the circle for FMU and UNG. 

For the Nighthawks, it was senior starter Kristen Davis who was stellar in limiting a strong Patriots offense. Davis held FMU scoreless and to just three hits through the first five innings, before a triple from third baseman Madalyn White. 

White came around to score in the next at bat after a fielder's choice ground ball from left fielder Emily Konz. 

That tied the game at 1-1 after UNG had held a 1-0 lead for the majority of the game thanks to a second-inning RBI single from junior shortstop Rylie Moody. 

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Alyssa Poston got the start for the Patriots in the circle. Despite giving up 10 hits, Poston struck out four batters and kept UNG scoreless in the game's final seven innings. 

Both teams were held to one run apiece as the first seven innings came to an end. In extra innings, FMU got on the board first to make it a 2-1 game after a leadoff walk from Konz to start the ninth. She was brought around by right fielder Katie Smith to break the tie. 

In the bottom half of the inning, sophomore second baseman Katie Ward represented the tying run after her infield single with one out. A sacrifice bunt from Mariah Wicker moved Ward into scoring position with two outs for senior catcher Georgia Blair. However, Blair popped out to end the game. 

Game two: Nighthawks def. Saints, 9-0 (5 Inn.)

After Flagler defeated sixth-seeded Columbus State in the regional's first elimination game, the Saints had to turn around and face UNG in yet another elimination game to continue their season. 

The Nighthawks entered the game with a ferocity after their potent offense was held in check in their first game. 

In the first inning, Blair got on base after a one-out walk. She then stole second before senior center fielder Mallory Parker singled through the left side. Sophomore first baseman Marycille Brumby then walked to load the bases. 

The first run in Blair was brought home after a short infield single from senior right fielder Madison Simmons. 

Then redshirt sophomore Tagen Levao-Maisonet was hit by a pitch with the bases still loaded to bring in another run. 

Two batters later, with two outs, senior third baseman Gracie Mixson laced a double to the gap in right center field, clearing the bases and making it a 5-0. 

Mixson came up again with the bases loaded in the third inning and delivered once more. She singled through the left side to score Simmons and make it 6-0 UNG.

As the offense provided run support, senior pitcher Tybee Denton did her part as she rolled through the game, only allowing four hits in total. 

In the fourth inning, Brumby pasted a single up the middle to extend the lead to 8-0, putting the Nighthawks in run rule territory. 

Junior infielder Grayson Perry sealed the deal by destroying a ball for a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning, her sixth home run of the season. 

In the last of the fifth, leading by nine runs, Denton got a one-two-three inning to close out the game.