Since joining the NCAA in 2008, North Georgia has been the premier softball program in Division II, winning five of the last 12 national titles.
On Sunday morning, the Hillsdale College softball team got a first-hand experience with what makes the Nighthawks such a strong program, falling to North Georgia 18-2 and 12-2 in doubleheader action on the Nighthawks' home field in Dahlonega, Georgia.
North Georgia used big innings in both contests to pull away from the Chargers and secure two victories on Sunday. In the first game, the Nighthawks scored seven runs in the bottom of the third and nine in the bottom of the fourth to break open a 2-1 contest, then used an eight-run third inning in the bottom of the third in the second game to seize control of a 3-0 affair.
Renee Bielawa went 1 for 2 at the plate with a RBI to lead Hillsdale in the first game, driving in Hailey Holtman in the top of the third inning, Natalie Stepanenko added a double and Sarah Wojcik also drove in a run in the top of the fifth inning, grounding out to score Stepanenko for Hillsdale's other run.
Stepanenko added a two-run single in the second game to lead the Chargers at the plate in that contest, driving in Wojcik and Kasidy Carson in the top of the fifth inning. Reagan Gensiejewski and Madison Rathbun each added a single in Game 2 as well for Hillsdale.
Julia Sayles took the loss in the first game for the Chargers, striking out one and walking four in two and two-thirds innings, and Dana Weidinger took the loss in the second game, striking out three and walking one in two and two-thirds innings of work as well. Freshman Erin Kapteyn pitched in relief in both games, finishing with three strikeouts and six walks in three total innings of work on the day.
Overall, in spite of the lopsided losses on Sunday, the opening weekend was a success for the Chargers, who took on two powerhouse Division II programs that historically have made several deep NCAA Tournament runs during the trip and are leaving Georgia with a victory and valuable experience against elite Division II competition.
Hillsdale (1-3) next moves on to the Dome Invitational in Rosemont, Illinois this coming weekend, starting with a contest against host Lewis at 4:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday. The tournament is a critical one for the Chargers, who will face five Midwest regional opponents and have a chance to lay a strong foundation for upcoming G-MAC play with a solid showing.
Photo by Camryn Olson