No. 1 Softball Opens NCAA Regional Play With 5-2 Win Over King
University of North Georgia May 11, 2018
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Lady Indians fall to Vikings 13-8
Sports, Team FYN Sports August 22, 2019
In one of the most high-energy games this season, the Lumpkin County Lady Indians took on the East Hall Vikings on Tuesday in their second region game of the season. In a sudden turn of events the Vikings pulled ahead to defeat the Lady Indians 13-8.
The Vikings got things started with an out-of-the-park homerun by starting pitcher Macy Banks in the top of the first inning. Banks’s hit was followed by a couple of singles, but the Lady Indians defense got the third out before any more runs could score.
Shortstop Evee Dornhecker hit an incredible out-of-the-park homerun to left field to lead things off for the Lady Indians. Starting pitcher Lauren English followed with a single, and a double by catcher Natalie Schubert lifted the Lady Indians to a 2-1 lead over the Vikings. Designated player Emmie Graham hit the ball to the infield and an error on the Vikings shortstop gave Graham time to reach first. Third baseman Hannah Pulley hit the ball back to the pitcher for the third out, but not before Graham came home to push the Lady Indians lead to 3-1.
The Lady Indians softball team celebrates Evee Dornhecker’s leadoff homerun in the bottom of the first inning.
A string of singles from Dornhecker, English and first baseman Natalie Robinson extended the Lady Indians lead to 5-1 during their next time to bat. The Vikings responded with another out-of-the-park homerun by Abigail Brown in the top of the third to make the score 5-3.
In the bottom of the third inning another string of singles from the Lady Indians helped to gain another four runs. After a couple of strong defensive innings for both teams the Vikings started to come back in the top of the fifth with a double to the center field wall by Banks. A passed ball for the Lady Indians brought in a run for the Vikings, as did a single. A couple of walked runners increased the Vikings score, and they took the lead after a double to the center field wall by right fielder Callie Dale.
Robinson came in to start pitching for the Lady Indians in the top of the sixth. With a fresh arm on the mound the Lady Indians were able to get quick three outs.
Robinson hit a double in the bottom of the sixth, and was brought home by a double from Schubert. The Lady Indians were looking for a comeback in the seventh, but a rainstorm swept through and made it difficult for them. The Vikings ended up putting another four runs on the board in the top of the seventh making the final score 13-8.
The Lady Indians still walked away with fourteen hits over the course of the game. Starting pitcher Lauren English pitched five innings and Natalie Robinson pitched 1 1/3 inning. Emmie Graham came in at the very end to finish up 2/3 of an inning.
The Lady Indians are now 5-5 on the season and 1-1 in the region. They will travel to Norcross on Thursday to face Greater Atlanta Christian.
UNG softball opens with 7-1 win over Southern Wesleyan
University of North Georgia February 15, 2019
LUMPKIN CO., GA
According to the University of North Georgia Athletics Department, junior, Marley Stowers, hit a grand slam over the left field wall, pushing No.3 UNG softball team to a 7-1 win over Southern Wesleyan Friday afternoon.
Marley Stowers (Photo courtesy of UNG Athletics)
Kaylyn Anthony scored the game’s first run on a SWU error in the first inning of the opening game of the Cottrell Foundation Loyal Blue Classic. After loading the bases, the Nighthawks got Stowers up to bat and, with a full count, she put the softball well out of the park to push the lead to 5-0.
Kaylyn Anthony (Photo courtesy of UNG Athletics)
Anthony struck an RBI single in the fourth inning before Katelyn Perry tacked on another run ins the sixth on an RBI single. The Warriors pushed a run across in the top of the seventh to bring the game to its final score.
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Smith named PBC pitcher of the week
University of North Georgia February 12, 2019
LUMPKIN, GA
University of North Georgia softball player, Kylee Smith, has been named the Peach Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week. The conference announced their consideration on Tuesday afternoon.
Smith was 2-0 in three NFCA Leadoff Classic appearances, allowing just two hits in 13.2 innings, with a total of 24 strikeouts. She also picked up her first win against No. 19 Lenoir-Rhyne University, going all seven innings with two hits allowed and one walk while striking out 15.
The UNG sophomore pitched five, no-hit innings, landing a 6-3 win over Hillsdale. Overall, Smith struck out six, before pitching 1.2 innings of relief against California University of Pennsylvania, where she struck out three with no hits nor walks allowed. Smith is currently tied for the league lead in wins and is second in strikeouts.
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No. 2 Softball Breezes Past USC Aiken in Doubleheader Sweep
University of North Georgia April 25, 2018
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Lady Indians continue region play against Fannin
Sports, Team FYN Sports August 30, 2019
Lady Indians starting pitcher Natalie Robinson deserved the “Dub Club” sign she wore after an incredible game on Thursday that helped her team to defeat region opponent Fannin County on Thursday. Robinson pitched a solid four innings with two strikeouts and only allowing two runs. Other incredible offense for the Lady Indians included two singles with a RBI and a double for shortstop Evee Dornhecker, and a double with 2 RBIs for catcher Natalie Schubert.
The Lady Rebels were the first to score with one run in the top of the first. A couple of bunts got the bases loaded for the Lady Rebels, and then a single to center field by catcher Eryn Mealer brought in a runner.
The Lady Indians were quick to come back with a lead off single by Dornhecker. Third baseman Lauren English hit the ball straight to the Lady Rebels’ shortstop, but an error on the shortstop gave English time to be safe at first. Catcher Natalie Robinson sent the ball right to the shortstop again, this time for an out, but not before Dornhecker could score and tie the game. Right fielder Haley Voyles hit a single to right field to bring in English, and the Lady Indians left the inning with a 2-1 lead.
The next couple of innings were brief for both teams, giving a chance for the defense to shine. In the top of the second inning, Robinson pitched two back-to-back strikeouts.
The offense started to pick back up in the top of the fourth with another single by Mealer. Starting pitcher Kaelyn Hensley put down a sacrifice bunt to bring in Mealer, and the Lady Rebels tied the game at a score of 2-2.
Along with a great game at catcher, Natalie Schubert played some good offense for the Lady Indians with a double to bring in two RBIs.
The Lady Indians offense came to life in the bottom of the fourth, starting off with a double to center field by Dornhecker. The next couple of batters for the Lady Indians resulted in walks, and when Schubert launched a double to the center field wall she brought in an easy two runs to pull the Lady Indians ahead 4-2.
The Lady Indians were in great scoring position, and they took advantage of it. Voyles followed Schubert with a single to bring in a runner. Another runner scored after designated player Emmie Graham put the ball into play. First baseman for the Lady Indians Hannah Pulley followed with a single of her own to bring home one of her teammates and push the score to 7-2 Lady Indians.
The Lady Indians were once again in great scoring position after a couple more walks. Back at the top of the lineup Dornhecker hit a single to right field to earn a RBI. English followed with the same, and then Robinson launched an out-of-the-park bomb to center field for two more RBIs. When the Lady Indians left the inning they held a lead of 12-2.
Unfortunately the Lady Rebels couldn’t get anything going in the next half-inning, and the Lady Indians won on a run rule after four-and-a-half innings 12-2.
The Lady Rebels alternated their pitching game between three pitchers. Kaelyn Hensley was the starting pitcher.
Head coach for the Lady Indians Joe Jones was pleased with the team’s performance.
“[We] did a much better job adjusting quickly. Great ball game, they did a great job mixing up pitchers and keeping our timing off,” said Coach Jones.
The Lady Rebels alternated their pitching between three women including Hensley and Josilyn Newton. The Lady Rebels are scheduled to take on East Hall on Saturday.
The Lady Indians are on a region play break, as they are scheduled to face Union away next Wednesday. They will then take on Oconee County and Locust Grove.
Lady Indians cap off non-region play with 11-0 win
Sports, Team FYN Sports August 16, 2019
The Lumpkin County Lady Indians softball team finished off their non-region play on a positive note. They won their third game of the week against the Chestatee Lady War Eagles at home on Thursday.
The Lady War Eagles showed up ready to fight for a come back from their 17-0 loss against the Lady Indians on Tuesday. Shortstop K.T. Palmieri hit a leadoff single for the Lady War Eagles in the top of the first. Unfortunately the next couple of batters were unable to put the ball into play like they needed, and the Lady War Eagles left one stranded going into the bottom of the inning.
The Lady Indians spent the next couple of innings battling to put runs on the board. Starting pitcher Natalie Robinson drilled a double to center field, and catcher Natalie Schubert brought in the first run of the game right after with a single to left field.
Lady Indian Hayley Voyles contributed to the victory on Thursday.
During their next turn to bat the Lady Indians scored a total of six runs to bump the score up 7-0. Hayley Voyles hit a single to center field, and an error on the Lady War Eagles allowed the runners to advance. A string of back-to-back walks and singles gained the Lady Indians three more runs. This drive was capped off by a double from Schubert that brought in three runners. After some impressive offense the Lady Indians left the inning with a comfortable lead.
The Lady War Eagles fought over the next couple of innings to put runs on the board. A couple of singles put the ball into play, but great defense from the Lady Indians held them back.
In the bottom of the fourth the Lady War Eagles walked Robinson and Lauren English. With her teammates in great scoring position, substitute catcher Grace Jones launched a double to left field to score a run. Two batters later, Voyles sent the ball to left field again to bring home two Lady Indians. Another error on the Lady War Eagles gave Voyles time to come home, and the Lady Indians went from an 8-0 lead to an 11-0 lead. After the Lady War Eagles were unable to put anything else on the board in the bottom of the fifth, the Lady Indians won on another run rule 11-0.
Starting pitcher for the Lady Indians Natalie Robinson pitched a total of four and a half innings allowing no runs with five strikeouts. The Lady Indians have a record of 4-4 going into their first region game against Dawson County on Monday.
“Tomorrow we’re gonna work,” said head coach Joe Jones about preparing for region play. “We’re gonna have a good workout tomorrow, give them a little time to recuperate this weekend and hopefully go and play with a lot of confidence on Monday.”
Lady Indians soar over War Eagles 17-0
Sports, Team FYN Sports August 14, 2019
The evening was hot and so were the Lady Indians in their first game of the week against the Chestatee War Eagles. After just three innings the Lady Indians walked away with a phenomenal victory of 17-0.
Shortstop Evee Dornhecker got things started with a leadoff single in the top of the first. Two batters after first baseman Natalie Robinson was walked, Emmie Graham drilled a single down the third base line to load the bases. Haley Voyles stepped up and hit a chopper to the infield, and an error on the War Eagles first baseman gave Dornhecker and Robinson time to score. With those two runs the Lady Indians were off to a great start 2-0 going into the bottom of the first.
Chestatee managed to get the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, but starting pitcher Lauren English held them back with a great first inning- two strikeouts back to back for the final two outs.
Shortstop Evee Dornhecker for the Lady Indians hit three singles, a double and earned three RBIs over the course of the game.
The Lady Indians were only getting started with their offense going into the second inning. Alyssa Pulley nailed a single down the third base line, and A.K. Wilson put down a perfect bunt to get on first. Dornhecker hit another single to left field, and once again the Lady Indians had the bases loaded. English stepped up and launched a double to the center field wall, earning herself two RBIs and the Lady Indians two more runs.
At this point the Lady Indians were in a great position offensively. Then came Robinson’s out of the park home run to catapult the Lady Indians to a lead of 7-0.
With no outs on the board the Lady Indians still had plenty of inning to bat. Chestatee starting pitcher Hannah Pierce walked Natalie Schubert and Graham. Voyles stepped back up and smacked a single between the second and first base gap bringing in Schubert. Third baseman for the War Eagles couldn’t get a handle on a drive from Wilson, and for the third time that night the Lady Indians had the bases loaded.
Dornhecker hit her third single of the night and earned two RBIs. Another hit by Robinson brought in another two runners. The Lady Indians earned five runs throughout the second inning to extend their lead 12-0.
The War Eagles attempted to earn some runs with a couple of hits throughout the bottom of the second, but it was not enough against the Lady Indians defense.
Graham hit a double to get things started for the Lady Indians in the top of the third. Her hit was followed by another double to center field by Voyles. After another single to right field by Alyssa Pulley and a double by Dornhecker to left field, the Lady Indians were up 15-0. The final run of the game came from pinch hitter Grace Jones, who hit a double to bring in English, who had hit a double just before.
Starting pitcher for Lumpkin Lauren English pitched a great game with three strikeouts over the three innings.
The War Eagles fought for some runs with a few more hits in the bottom of the third, but still couldn’t get anything on the board. The Lady Indians won on a run rule, 17-0.
Among the stellar offensive performance for the Lady Indians were three singles, a double and three RBIs for Dornhecker, two doubles with two RBIs for English and two singles by Alyssa Pulley. English also pitched all three innings with three strikeouts.
Coach Joe Jones for the Lady Indians was exceptionally proud as he said, “We came out of the gate and hit very well…they threw strikes, we hit it and we hit it hard. Hopefully we can continue to build off that and start like we did today in the future.”
The Lady Indians are now 3-4 in their season. They will play Chestatee again at home on Thursday at 5 p.m.
UNG women’s tennis team defeats Queens in championship opening
Sports, University of North Georgia May 22, 2019
LUMPKIN CO., GA
According to the University of North Georgia Athletics Department, the No. 12 UNG women’s tennis team won three straight singles matches in straight sets over No. 49 Queens, 4-0, in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Tennis Championship. The win marks the first win at the national championship site in program history.
UNG started quickly in doubles, winning 6-1 at No. 2 and No. 3. The first win was earned by Emma Etelalahti and Cibeles Zuddy, followed by Adrienne Bofinger and Lexa Loden.
In singles, Bofinger earned the first point, winning in dominant fashion, 6-1, 6-1. Zuddy wasn’t far behind, winning at No. 4, 6-3, 6-2 before the singles matches were closer. Jorge went down a set early but fought back to force a third, while Claudelle Labonte Frey won her first set in a tiebreak. Bennett clinched the match with a 7-5, 6-3 win just before Loden was able to finish her match.
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Kylee Smith Named Peach Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week
University of North Georgia February 15, 2017
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CHAD HAYNIE // Director of Athletic Communications
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA ATHLETICS
M: 205-246-4259
Website: UNGAthletics.com | Twitter: @UNG_Nighthawks | #HawkEm
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William R. Johnson
4839 Red Oak Drive
Gainesville, Ga. 30506
Mobile (678) 852-1256
Lady Indians start region play with victory over Tigers 15-3
Sports, Team FYN Sports August 20, 2019
The Lumpkin County Lady Indians softball team started off their region play strong on Monday night with a 15-3 victory over the Dawson County Tigers. The game was delayed at first because of stormy weather, but after the skies cleared both teams came out ready to play.
The Lady Indians started out slow, leaving three stranded their first at-bat. Starting pitcher Natalie Robinson and the rest of the Lady Indians defense were able to hold the Tigers until the bottom of the second. A sacrifice bunt by Tigers left fielder Brea Crane brought in the first run of the game, followed by a ball put into play by Tigers catcher Annsley Kirby to bring home another runner.
The Tigers left the inning with a 2-0 lead, but it didn’t take long for the Lady Indians to warm up. The Lady Indians put ten runs on the board during the top of the third.
Starting catcher Natalie Schubert helped to get things started for the Lady Indians with a double in the third.
Third baseman Lauren English led things off with a single to right field, followed immediately after with a double to center field by Robinson. Starting catcher Natalie Schubert stepped up and hit a double to right field, earning her two RBIs and the Lady Indians two runs to tie the game 2-2.
Designated pitcher Emmie Graham followed Schubert with a single, and right fielder Hayley Voyles did the same to bring Schubert home and the Lady Indians another run. Back to back singles by first baseman Hannah Pulley and second baseman Alyssa Pulley brought in two more runs, and the Lady Indians had a lead of 5-2.
Back at the top of the lineup, shortstop Evee Dornhecker hit a single to left field for a RBI, and was followed by English with another single and RBI of her own. Graham hit another single to left field; an error on Tigers first baseman Bella Henson gave the Lady Indians time to score two more runs. After another single by Voyles to bring home Graham, the Lady Indians held a lead of 10-2 to finish off the top of the third.
The Tigers were unable to get anything on the board during their next at-bat, and a ball put into play by Robinson gave the Lady Indians time to score another run in the top of the fourth.
The Tigers tried to come back in the bottom of the fourth. Henson launched a double to the center field wall, and a couple of batters later designated pitcher Rylie Erickson hit a double to left field to bring Henson home. Unfortunately the Tigers were unable to get anything else going before the Lady Indians got the final out to end the inning with a score of 11-3.
First baseman for the Tigers Bella Henson hit a double in the game on Monday night.
Reece Moore took over as the pitcher for the Tigers in the top of the fifth. Kloee Graham sent a single down the first base line to get things started for the Lady Indians. Two batters later Voyles sent an incredible out-of-the-park homerun to left field to extend the Lady Indians’ lead 13-3. A single by Grace Jones and a couple of walks for the Lady Indians gave them a couple more runs to leave the inning 15-3.
Emmie Graham came in to finish pitching for the Lady Indians in the bottom of the fifth, and after a quick three outs the Lady Indians won on a run rule 15-3.
Among the great offense for the Lady Indians were a double with two RBIs for Schubert, two singles with a RBI for English plus a double and a single with a RBI for Hannah Pulley. Add in the homerun by Voyles in the fifth and the Lady Indians earned an incredible 18 hits. Robinson got six strikeouts over four innings as the starting pitcher.
The Tigers offense included a double by Henson and another double by Erickson. The Tigers earned three hits over the course of the game. Starting pitcher Olivia Martinez pitched four innings, and Erickson pitched the remaining one.
Coach Joe Jones for the Lady Indians said, “Overall, pretty good outting. [I’m] Proud of them for coming out and getting that first region win.”
The Lady Indians will continue their region play with a game against East Hall tonight at home. The Tigers will host Greater Atlanta Christian at home tonight as well.
Dragonettes fight back; Lady Indians fall 9-4
Lumpkin County High School, Sports, Team FYN Sports August 8, 2019
After a loss against the Lumpkin County Lady Indians on Tuesday, the Pickens Dragonettes weren’t going down without a fight on their home turf. And that’s exactly what they did; the Nettes came back to win 9-4 on Thursday’s matchup.
But Lumpkin County didn’t make it easy for them. The Lady Indians played an explosive first inning, with four hits and four runs. Shortstop Evee Dornhecker had a leadoff single, followed by a single from first baseman Natalie Robinson. Later in the inning Natalie Schubert launched a triple to center field, earning her two RBIs and the Lady Indians a lead of 3-0. The final run of the inning came from a single off of third baseman Hannah Pulley, and the Nettes came up to bat facing a four-run deficit.
Along with pitching a solid game, Emma Black brought in several RBIs for the Nettes.
The Nettes struggled against the Lady Indians defense for the next couple of innings. But that started to change in the bottom of the third.
Starting pitcher Emma Black set off the Nettes comeback with an RBI. This was followed by another single and RBI by right fielder Payton Green. The Lady Indians still came up to bat with a 4-2 lead, but were unable to put any more on the board after the Nettes got started.
The Nettes added two runs and tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Left fielder Morgan Krastes led off the inning with a double, and second baseman Sarah Morris and Emma Black each had singles with RBIs of their own.
The Nettes continued to add to their lead with five more runs in the bottom of the fifth.
According to head coach Sarah Pinson, Sarah Morris and other seniors of the Nettes helped to bring them the win.
Two more RBIs for Emma Black assured Pickens a solid lead, as did another RBI single for Sarah Morris.
Although the Lady Indians were able to gain a few more hits, it was not enough toget them past the 9-4 lead the Nettes gained after the fifth. Each time had eleven hits. Starting pitchers Emma Black for the Nettes and Lauren English for the Lady Indians pitched full, solid games. Black got five strikeouts; English had two.
Nettes head coach Sarah Pinson credits the victory to the team’s solid leadership.
“We have some great leadership,” said Pinson. “We have three seniors- Chloe McPherson, Sarah Morris and Charlie Hulsey, and they kinda gathered the girls around and pumped them up.”
Washington named 2019 recipient of the Dissinger Reed Athletic Training Scholarship
Sports, University of North Georgia May 24, 2019
LUMPKIN CO., GA
According to the University of North Georgia Athletics Department, UNG’s Ariauna Washington was named 2019 recipient of the Dissinger Reed Athletic Training Scholarship, during the PBC athletic trainer annual symposium in Agusta, GA.
UNC Pembroke’s Frank A. Bastone III was also a recipient, and both students will receive financial support from Dissinger Reed as they continued their studies. Washington will attend UNG’s virtual campus for a degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Health & Physical Education while working at Young Harris. 2019 is the fifth year of the scholarship program.
Washington was a member of the UNG athletic training club and sports medicine club, serving as vice president of the latter until her graduation in May. She was a CARE Consortium Assistance worker at North Georgia her senior year and has worked for Atlanta United of Major League Soccer. She also worked at Harris County High School and Dawson County High School as a part of her UNG program.
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UNG pitcher named Ron Lenz National Pitcher of the Year
Sports, University of North Georgia May 22, 2019
DAHLONEGA, GA
According to the University of Athletics Department, the Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association (D2CCA) named UNG junior pitcher, Kylee Smith, the Ron Lenz National Pitcher of the Year on Wednesday afternoon.
This is Smith’s second year earning the honor, and she is now the fourth North Georgia pitcher with this achievement and the second to do so within two consecutive seasons. This is the sixth time in 10m years that Dahlonega has had an athlete earn the award.
Kylee Smith: Photo courtesy of UNG Athletics
Smith is also the third pitcher in 13 years to earn it twice in a row; the last athlete was UNG’s Courtney Pool in 2015 and 2016. Smith was also named a D2CCA First Team All-American, her third straight honor, and she is a native of Suwanee, Georgia.
Smith finished the season with a 30-4 record and 0.73 ERA. She leads NCAA Division II in ERA and is second nationally in strikeouts (318) and hits allowed per game, third in wins, fourth in shutouts (12) and fifth in strikeouts per seven innings. She recorded four no-hitters during the year and threw a perfect game against USC Aiken on April 19.
In three seasons, Smith has quickly risen among the ranks of Peach Belt Conference all-time leaders. She is currently tied for third all-time in wins, is sixth in career strikeouts and eighth in career innings pitched.
Named the PBC Pitcher of the Week a record seven times this season, she was also named the NFCA National Pitcher of the Week on April 3. She has been named the PBC Pitcher of the Week 14 times in her career.
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UNG men’s basketball falls to Young Harris
University of North Georgia February 15, 2019
LUMPKIN CO., GA
According to the University of North Georgia Athletic Department, the UNG men’s basketball team suffered an upset against Young Harris Wednesday, despite UNG sophomore, Jack Howard, reaching a career high of 23 points.
Photo courtesy of UNG Athletics
The Nighthawks started with a 16-3 lead, but the Mountain Lions managed to gain a four-point lead by the end of the first half. Young Harris came out of the half with a strong guard of the three-point line. UNG hit 14 of 34 three-point attempts.
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Smith, Johns Named First Team NFCA All-Americans
University of North Georgia May 25, 2018Johns, a sophomore from Powder Springs, Georgia, is a perfect 18-0 in 29 appearances this season. She has struck out 112 batters in 110 innings with batters hitting just .146 against her this season. She has the third-best ERA in Division II at 0.76. This is Johns’ first NFCA All-American honor as she was named to the D2CCA Third Team earlier in the day.
Smith, a sophomore from Suwanee, Georgia, is 35-1 in 39 games in the circle, compiling three saves as well. She has the most strikeouts in the nation with 320 punch outs to just 43 walks. With batters hitting just .129 against her this season, her ERA is the second best in the nation at 0.65. This is Smith’s second NFCA All-American accolade as she was named to the First Team last year as well. Earlier Wednesday, Smith was named the D2CCA Ron Lenz Pitcher of the Year and to the D2CCA First Team.
The pitching duo and the rest of the No. 1 Nighthawks will open the tournament tomorrow morning at 11 a.m.