CHATTANOOGA — A dream first inning with added assurance in the fifth propelled No. 2 University of North Georgia past Central Oklahoma (53-8) with a 6-3 victory at Frost Stadium in Warner Park, qualifying for the second straight of the NCAA Division II Softball Championship Semifinal program.
Sophie Mooney (W, 10-2) did it all that day, earning her 10th win of the season, recording three hits in three at bats and scoring twice, earning the single season record for hits with his third hit. Mooney’s day at the plate completed a dominating performance inside the circle, pitching three-and-a-third innings in relief, allowing no one-hitter runs and no walks.
What a day for Sophie Mooney??
??Tenth victory of the season
??3 for 3 on the plate
?? Single season record for #HawkEm hits | @sophiemoooney pic.twitter.com/0c3Q3Nhvv1
— UNG Softball (@UNGSoftball) May 26, 2023 Behind her in the order, Hannah Forehand continued to add to the nation’s best RBI total, throwing a shot from left field in the fifth inning to tag Mooney and give the Nighthawks a cushion before the last innings. The two-point shot gave him RBI numbers 79 and 80, extending his single-season record for RBI in one season.
The win moves UNG to 61-6, one shy of the all-time record for wins by a team, a mark set in 2018.
NOT OUR FIRST RODEO??
Nighthawks advance to Sunday after win over Oklahoma Center ??#HawkEm | @NCAADII pic.twitter.com/7JbeVaOuEK
— UNG Softball (@UNGSoftball) May 26, 2023 Next
The Nighthawks (61-6) will get a day off as six total teams battle it out for the two remaining spots Saturday, May 26, as a matchup against North Georgia awaits them in the national semifinals.
