The University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team has punched its ticket to the eight-team NCAA Division II championship, set for May 22-28 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Thanks to a pair of road victories against second-ranked Francis Marion University in the Southeast Super Regional held May 15-16, the Nighthawks are one step closer to a national title.

"It truly amazes me the amount of resiliency in each of these young ladies. No matter what life or this game has thrown at them this season, they became stronger," first-year head coach Brooke O'Hair said. "Life is about choices and opportunities, and this group continues to face challenges head-on together as a team and make the most of every opportunity that comes their way. Their heart for each other and their fight for each other is truly inspiring."

This year's NCAA championship marks a return to Frost Stadium at Warner Park, site of UNG's 2023 national title, as the Nighthawks face Saginaw Valley State at 1:30 p.m. May 22 in their Chattanooga opener. The tournament is double-elimination until only two teams remain, and those final two teams will face off in a best-of-three championship series May 27-28.

UNG (48-14) is the No. 4 seed among the final eight teams, with Saginaw State (48-13) at No. 5. Other teams in Chattanooga include:

• No. 1 seed UT Tyler (57-5).
• No. 2 seed University of Tampa (45-10).
• No. 3 seed Central Oklahoma (51-9).
• No. 6 seed Pace (46-11).
• No. 7 seed Shippensburg (36-20).
• No. 8 seed Western Washington (45-11).

This is the fourth time in five seasons UNG has made it to the NCAA championship site.

"There's a genuine joy in the way we play and compete together," junior pitcher and infielder Chloe Poss said. "And getting to chase something this big with people you love makes every moment even more meaningful."

In addition to its 2023 national title, UNG also won the national championship in 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The Nighthawks fended off adversity throughout the Super Regional. They recovered from a 4-1 deficit to earn a 5-4 victory in 10 innings in the opener of the best-of-three series. Then, following a 9-0 loss in five innings in the second game, UNG recovered for a 5-3 win to clinch a spot in Chattanooga.

Junior Marycille Brumby drove in the winning run in the 10th inning in the opener. The Nighthawks used a Brumby solo home run, an RBI double from junior Sydnee Reaves, an RBI single from junior Natalie Ray, and freshman Carleigh Knowles reaching on a run-scoring error to power a four-run fifth inning that broke a 1-1 tie in the finale against Francis Marion, which finished the season 53-6.

Freshman Graci West (7-1) earned the pitching victory with 7 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in the first UNG win, and Poss (20-4) pitched a complete game in the clinching victory.

"What sets this team apart is our chemistry, depth and relentless work ethic. Everyone knows their role and executes it with excellence, whether it’s on the field, at the plate or in the dugout," Poss said. "The leadership on this team is strong, and the trust we have in each other creates a culture where success is shared and pressure is embraced."