DAHLONEGA – The No. 3 University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team split its first two games of the 2025 Gold City Classic at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium at Lynn Cottrell Park on Friday. 

In game one, UNG defeated Emmanuel 8-0 in six innings thanks to late rallies in the fourth and sixth innings.

In game two, the Nighthawks recorded more hits than their opponent Emory & Henry (E&H) but were unable to score as they suffered a 9-0 loss in six innings.

With heavy rainfall expected in the northeast Georgia area tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 14, UNG's games on the second day of the Gold City Classic have been pushed back one hour. The Nighthawks will look for revenge against E&H at 1 p.m. and will take on Emmanuel again at 5 p.m.

Fans can visit the Gold City Classic Event Website for the latest information, news and updates. 

Fans are also encouraged to keep checking game schedules on UNGAthletics.com and all Nighthawk social media channels for up-to-the-minute updates regarding scheduled events, game times and ticket purchases.

Game 1: Nighthawks def. Lions, 8-0 (6 Inn.)
Redshirt sophomore outfielder Tagen Levao-Maisonet started the scoring for UNG in the first inning of game one with a bases-loaded infield single that glanced off the pitcher's glove to bring in a run.

The Nighthawks led 2-0 after the first inning thanks to an RBI ground out from junior outfielder Sydnee Reaves that plated senior shortstop Rylie Moody. 

UNG had a rare occurrence in the fourth inning when three triples aided a four-run inning to blow the game open.

Junior infielder Marycille Brumby recorded the first triple when she roped a ball down the left field line that evaded Emmanuel's outfielder. Brumby scored on the next at bat when Levao-Maisonet reached on a fielding error.

With Reaves and Levao-Maisonet on base, freshman infielder Jenna Miles recorded the second triple of the inning after rocking a ball to the wall in right center field. She hustled out of the box and slid around a tag at third base on the two-run hit. 

Miles was brought home the very next at bat as junior outfielder Natalie Ray smoked a ball to the other gap in left center. Emmanuel center fielder Ellee Varner made a diving attempt at the ball but failed to haul it in as Ray sped to the third bag. The trio of three baggers gave the Nighthawks a 6-0 lead after four innings of play. 

Meanwhile, junior pitcher Chloe Poss was dealing in the circle for UNG. Through the first four innings Poss struck out four batters without allowing more than one hit. 

In the fifth, Poss worked out of trouble after two walks put a pair of runners on base as the Lions attempted to mount a comeback. With two strikeouts and a pop out Poss avoided the threat and kept Emmanuel scoreless through five innings.

Freshman pitcher Graci West came on in relief of Poss in the sixth inning who finished the day with 5.1 innings pitched, one hit, three walks, six strikeouts and zero runs allowed.

West finished the sixth with a strikeout without allowing a hit, giving her team a chance to win the game with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. 

UNG did just that as senior catcher Sadye Johnson belted a pinch-hit, solo home run to lead off the inning. It was Johnson's second big fly of her career and her first since 2022.

With a pinch-hit single from sophomore utility player Ava Lunsford and another knock from Ray, the Nighthawks had the winning run in scoring position at second base. They loaded the bases when freshman infielder Carleigh Knowles reached on a failed fielder's choice as Lunsford beat the play to third base on the ground ball. 

Senior two-way player Angelina Badalament won the game in the next at bat after grounding another ball to short. Emmanuel's Gabby Buffington came home with the throw to try and keep her team's hopes alive. Lunsford once more beat the throw as UNG sealed the 8-0 victory, its third via the mercy rule this season

Game two: Wasps def. Nighthawks, 9-0 (6 Inn.)
While UNG kept its offense going from a hitting perspective in game two, the run scoring failed to follow.

Despite out-hitting E&H and recording as many total hits (8) as in game one, the Nighthawks failed to find the scoreboard in their first shutout loss of the season. 

The finale on day one of the Gold City Classic started as a heated pitching duel between Badalament and Wasps starter Destiny Good. Neither pitcher allowed a run through the first four innings as Badalement struck out three batters and Good struck out one.

E&H finally cracked the code in the top of the fifth as a single, fielder's choice, single and wild pitch in the first four at bats put runners at second and third with just one out. After sophomore Journey Roberts snagged a hard liner at third base, UNG had earned two outs and was nearing the finish line in the inning.

Instead, Wasp center fielder Mackenzie Williams floated a ball down the left field line that landed in fair territory by mere inches. Both runners scored while Williams ended up on second with a two-run double. She would eventually come in to score as Danielle King doubled to center field.

E&H would rally for six runs in the sixth inning as seven hitters came to the plate before the Nighthawks recorded the first out in the frame. 

The nine-run deficit was too much to overcome as UNG could not bring in any runs in the bottom of the inning, ending the game with a 9-0 defeat.