Softball team punches ticket to NCAA championship
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia (ǧÃŬAV) softball team is headed back to the NCAA Division II championship for the second year in a row. ǧÃŬAV (47-16) enters the eight-team championship round as the No. 7 seed and faces second-seeded Adelphi University at 6 p.m. May 26 in Denver.
On May 27, the winner of that opener will face the victor between third-seeded Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) and sixth-seeded Seton Hill University. The NCAA championship also includes No. 1 seed University of Texas at Tyler, No. 4 seed Southern Indiana University, No. 5 seed Rogers State University, and No. 8 seed Cal State University, Dominguez Hills.
Two teams will advance from the to a best-of-three national title series.
"I am extremely proud of what this group of 21 student-athletes has accomplished this season. To see the growth in them as a team since the beginning of last fall has been very rewarding," ǧÃŬAV softball head coach said. "They have worked hard, not only at the sport of softball, but at becoming a true team that represents our program and the North Georgia uniform. We have had so many different players have their time to shine and help their team be successful this spring, and this past weekend was no different."
We have had so many different players have their time to shine and help their team be successful this spring, and this past weekend was no different.
Mike Davenport
ǧÃŬAV softball head coach
Although this is the seventh time ǧÃŬAV has advanced to the softball national final site in the NCAA era, it is the first time the Nighthawks have gone in consecutive years since making it three years in a row from 2009-2011.
ǧÃŬAV won the 2015 national title.
In their most recent NCAA championship trip, last year the Nighthawks were one of the final four teams in contention for the title.
ǧÃŬAV was not about to let a little adversity get in the way of returning to Denver in pursuit of a national championship. After dropping the second game of their Super Regional Series against Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), the Nighthawks earned a 4-1 eight-inning victory on May 20 to punch their NCAA championship ticket.
On May 19, ǧÃŬAV opened the Super Regional with a five-inning 9-1 triumph against LMU. The Railsplitters evened the series with a 3-1 win on May 20 before the Nighthawks' victory in the finale.
An RBI single by and a two-run home run by in the eighth inning proved decisive for ǧÃŬAV in the clinching victory. picked up the pitching win with 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and four strikeouts.
Forehand had a two-run homer and added three RBIs in the 9-1 win, in which pitched four innings to earn the victory.
The softball team is one of multiple ǧÃŬAV programs to excel this spring. Here are a few of the other highlights:
Gurley aims for another title: will have a chance to defend her 2021 national pole vault title. The ǧÃŬAV student-athlete qualified for the NCAA Division II outdoor track and field championship in Allendale, Michigan, and will compete at 12:30 p.m. May 28. Gurley is seeded sixth in the event with a mark of 4.15 meters.
Men's golf team 11th at nationals: The ǧÃŬAV men's golf team finished 11th at the NCAA Division II national championship in Dearborn, Michigan, and tied for 11th individually at 5-over 221.
Also in the top 30 individually for the Nighthawks was , who tied for 29th at 10-over 226.
The Nighthawks shot the second-best round of the final day at 7-over 295, finishing just three shots outside of the top 10.
Men's golf head coach was also named one of five finalists for the Golf Coaches Association of America Division II Dave Williams Award for national coach of the year.
Ananthasane named All-American: For the second year in a row, women's golfer earned second-team Women's Golf Coaches Association All-American honors. The sophomore from Dacula, Georgia, earned her second Peach Belt Conference (PBC) tournament individual title and was PBC Player of the Year.
Nighthawks wrap up season in Sweet 16
The ǧÃŬAV women's soccer team fell 2-0 to Columbus State University in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championship Dec. 1.
Women's soccer team makes Sweet 16
The ǧÃŬAV women's soccer team punched its ticket to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016 with a 1-0 victory against Lander University on Nov. 24.
Nighthawks make NCAA tournament
The ǧÃŬAV women's soccer team has earned the No. 3 seed in the Southeast Region of the NCAA Division II tournament, marking its fourth consecutive postseason appearance.
Basketball teams aim high in 2024-25
The ǧÃŬAV men’s and women’s basketball teams tip off their seasons in early November. Both teams return all-conference performers as they aim for national and PBC supremacy.