No. 10 North Georgia Softball Stuns No. 2 Francis Marion, Wins Southeast Regional Title

FLORENCE, S.C. – The No. 10 University of North Georgia softball team won for the second day in a row upsetting No. 2 Francis Marion University. Both teams had their backs against the wall on day two as UNG would drop game one and be forced to play game three. The Nighthawks were able to respond to the pressure and pick up their ninth regional title in program history and fourth in the last five years. But it wasn’t an easy start for day two of the Super Regional for the Nighthawks

Game Two:

Things started off red hot for the Patriots as they scored three runs in the first inning. A leadoff single from Madalyn White started the inning, then a hit from Paige Strickland with one out put runners on the corners. Anderson Thrower would hit a single to left that scored White. Then it was followed up by a hesitated throw from catcher Carleigh Knowles as Strickland was trying to take third. The hesitation led to a throwing error, which scored the second run of the day for FMU.

A sacrifice fly from Kendal Miller scored the third run of the first inning for the Patriots. The Nighthawks would struggle offensively in game one, only putting one runner on and one hit through two innings.

UNG would try and answer back in the bottom of the third as with two on and one out, a single into left field from Jenna Miles looked like it would score UNG’s first runs of the game, but the throw from left fielder Emily Konz to home was in time to tag Marycille Brumby out. This inning would be the closest the Nighthawks would get to scoring a run in the first game.

The Patriots would pile it on the in the fourth, with pinch hitter Samantha Turnage hitting grand slam, putting the Nighthawks further in a hole, now down by seven runs.

In the fifth, UNG would make their first pitching change in replacing Graci West for Mallory Forrester. Forrester would struggle, as she walked two batters and gave up two runs. The Nighthawks would put West back in to pitch before the inning was over.

The Nighthawks ended up getting run ruled for the fifth time this season, losing to the Patriots 9-0 in game two of the Super Regional in five innings.

Game Three:

UNG would start the second game slowly as they went three up and three down in the first inning. FMU looked to pick up where they left off as they started out the bottom half of the frame with two hits coming from Paige Strickland and Anderson Thrower. However, the Nighthawks were able to stifle the Patriots in the first.

In top of the second, a Carleigh Knowles leadoff single would be for naught as the next three batters all got out.

The Patriots then landed the first punch in the bottom half of the inning. Jenna Walling walked and Karson Cuozzo pinch ran for her. Cuozzo would advance to second off a wild pitch from Chloe Poss, then Rylie Webster picked up a double that scored Cuozzo to put the Patriots out front by one.

UNG would respond right back in the third with a run of its own. That run was set up by a Journey Roberts double and a stolen base via wild pitch. Sydnee Reaves then knocked a double to left field scoring Roberts from third and the game was tied at one.

The bottom of the third and the fourth inning was quiet for both teams. But in the fifth inning, the Nighthawks took flight. Brumby started the fifth with a solo home run that put UNG out front for the first time. It was her ninth home run of the season.

“I’m just trying to help my team the best I can. And just seeing a good pitch, swinging at it and hit the ball,” said Brumby on hitting the solo home run.
“We knew when she hit that ball. We were gonna get it done, and we’re gonna win that game. So everybody went crazy.” – Chloe Poss, Game Three starting pitcher
Even after the solo shot, the Nighthawks were not satisfied. Roberts picked up a single and then immediately after, Reaves hit a double that scored Roberts. Francis Marion would make the lone pitching change of the day pulling day one starter and NCAA DII Southeast Pitcher of the Year Alyssa Poston for Jenna Walling.

But this did nothing to quiet the Nighthawks as Miles bunted a single that advanced Reaves to third. Miles would later steal second. Natalie Ray singled to left scoring Reaves. Knowles would then hit a grounder to third base, but the throw from Peyton Gale to Tallulah Civoniceva would go over her head which allowed Miles to score UNG’s fifth run and fourth of the inning. All of the scoring was done without recording an out.

Two pop outs and a strikeout ended the frame, but by then, the damage has already been done.

A mostly clean sixth inning went by, giving way to the bottom of the seventh. In this half of the frame, Strickland got the Patriots a little closer when she hit a two run shot with two outs which shrunk the Nighthawks lead in half. Thrower picked up a hit to bring the tying run to the plate, but Poss would get the last laugh as she struck out Rylie Gray.

With the win, the Nighthawks pick up their ninth NCAA DII Regional title in program history.

“The first game didn’t go our way. There was multiple parts of the game that that we just really didn’t show off our playing style, and it showed, and they ended up doing their job getting hits, great pitching, great defense, and so they obviously they deserved that game,” said UNG softball coach Brooke O’Hair. “Game two, we knew it was going to be a dog fight. Every part of the game had to come and play together, and that was a big thing for us just to continue to believe in each other and fight to the very end, and I know our girls did just that.”

UNG now moves on to Friday Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee next week for the NCAA DII National Championship. The last time they made it to the Championship Series, they won the 2023 National Title. The Nighthawks have played multiple regular season games at Frost Stadium as well since winning the championship.

Now, a new quest unfolds for UNG as first year head coach Brooke O’Hair looks to get her first national title and the program’s third.
“I think I think this team can do amazing things. And just like that, when we put it all together, it’s good. It’s really good, and I just can’t wait to see it. Like, it’s going to be exciting.” –  Chloe Poss, Game Three starting pitcher
Teams, matchups and game times will be announced at a later date after the NCAA reseeds the Regional winners. The 2025 NCAA DII Softball National Championship is set to begin on Thursday May, 22.