No. 8 Nighthawks Keep Rolling With Doubleheader Sweep At Wingate
Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 WINGATE, N.C. – The No. 8 University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team swept Wingate in a road doubleheader on Tuesday to extend its winning streak to 19 consecutive games which is the second-longest active streak in the country.
In game one it was a six-run sixth inning that facilitated a four-run comeback for the Nighthawks (26-4, 9-0 Peach Belt).
Game two saw UNG handle the Bulldogs (16-14, 7-1 South Atlantic) 6-1 as the Nighthawks flexed their extra-base power.
Now UNG prepares for a Peach Belt Conference road series in St. Augustine, Fla. against Flagler. The first of a doubleheader in the three-game series begins on Saturday, March 22 at 12 p.m.
Game 1: Nighthawks def. Bulldogs, 8-6
Wingate accomplished a feat that very few teams have against UNG this season as it took the first lead in the game in the bottom of the first inning. A three-run inning put the Nighthawks on their heels in the early goings of the game.
Freshman catcher Carleigh Knowles blasted her team-leading ninth home run of the season in the second inning to make it 3-1.
After the Bulldogs added another run in the third inning, junior outfielder Kailtyn Johnson's RBI single in the fourth made it 4-2.
Wingate took its largest lead of the game in the fifth inning thanks to a two-run homer from Hannah Stevens to cement a 6-2 lead, the largest of the game for the Bulldogs.
In the top of the sixth inning, freshman second baseman Jenna Miles led the inning off with a double. Junior outfielder Natalie Ray followed with a double of her own to make it 6-3. Singles from Knowles and Johnson loaded the bases with nobody out for senior shortstop Rylie Moody.
Moody came up clutch with a two-run single to center field that made it a 6-5 ballgame.
A walk loaded the bases once more as junior first baseman Marycille Brumby stepped to the plate. The lefty slugger punched a single into right field to tie the game as Johnson scored.
Junior center fielder Sydnee Reaves then also singled to right as freshman outfielder Kayla Berry and Moody both scored to give the Nighthawks an 8-6 advantage, their first lead of the game.
UNG would hang on for the win to extend its win streak to 18 straight games.
Game 2: Nighthawks def. Bulldogs, 6-1
By the time the scoring eventually got started in game two of the twin billing, it was much smoother sailing to the finish line for the Nighthawks than in game one.
Knowles plated the first run of the game with an RBI double down the left field line to open the door to a big inning.
Johnson followed Knowles's knock with an RBI single of her own to make it 2-0.
Then Moody stepped to the dish and belted her fifth home run of the season over the center field wall to punctuate the four-run inning.
Wingate got one run back in the bottom of the frame on a solo home run. It would be its only run of the game as junior pitcher and reigning PBC Pitcher of the Week Chloe Poss was spectacular in the circle once more.
Poss finished her 10th complete game of the season allowing just two hits and one run over seven innings of work. She walked one batter and struck out four in her dominant ninth victory of the year.
UNG added to the lead in the fifth inning thanks to another long ball after Miles reached on a fielder's choice. Knowles stepped to the plate and tied the conference lead for home runs this season with 10 as she launched the 2-2 pitch over the left field wall to make it 6-1.
Poss would not allow another baserunner in the game as she retired 10 straight batters to seal the victory for the Nighthawks.
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