DAHLONEGA | University of North Georgia senior
Kim McMillan set a new single-season record for home runs at 15 after hitting one in each game, helping the No. 8 Nighthawks to a sweep of USC Aiken, 2-0 and 4-1. The wins came on Cancer Awareness Night at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium.
Courtney Poole (29-1) picked up both victories in the circle, tossing a one-hit shutout in the first game of the day before surrounding a run in the top of the seventh in the second game, in which she carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning.
Game One
The first game of the day was a true pitcher’s duel as no one reached base until the bottom of the fourth, when Kim McMillan broke the streak with a seeing-eye single. The Hawks got another hit that frame but couldn’t produce a run.
UNG turned a free pass into a run the next inning though, as Katie Block was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the fifth and then stole second. Block advanced to third on a Meredith Heyer groundout, then came home to score on a wild pitch.
McMillan added some insurance in the sixth with a line drive to right that went right by the diving right fielder and McMillan showed her speed wheeling around for an inside the park homerun, sliding in just ahead of the throw to the plate. The round tripper tied McMillan for the school’s single-season home run record.
Poole was amazing in the circle for the Nighthawks, striking out 12 while only allowing one hit and did not allow a free pass.
Game Two
Hits would come at a premium again on the back end of the twin bill. McMillan picked up the first hit of the game with her two-run bomb to left bouncing off the hill. The more traditional homer gave the Powder Springs native sole possession of UNG’s single-season home run crown at 15 on the year.
North Georgia plated two more runs in the bottom of the fifth as Ansley Phillips came up with a two-strike, two-out, two-run single up the middle to give UNG a 4-0 lead.
The Pacers (20-10, 11-7 PBC) finally got in the hit column in the sixth inning with a double to left center by Sydney Murphy. USCA got on the board in the seventh with a RBI double down the left field line by Andrea Daring.
Next Up
The Nighthawks will welcome the Hurricanes of Georgia Southwestern to Hill Stadium on Sunday for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.