¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ

For the fifth year in a row, the No. 1-ranked University of North Georgia (¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ) softball team won the regular-season crown April 25.

¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ breaks the Peach Belt record for consecutive regular season championships, surpassing Kennesaw State University's four straight victories from 1995-98. With these wins, ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ will be the top-seed in the Peach Belt Tournament to be played at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium on the Dahlonega Campus next weekend.

, winning 8-1 in game one before a 4-0 shutout in the nightcap. ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ is now 51-2 on the year.

During game one, ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ scored first with a RBI single from Shelby Hammontree, for a 1-0 lead in the third inning.

The Bobcats responded with a homer in the top of the fifth to tie the game. But ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ answered with a home run from Alishia Frierson to go back up, 2-1.

The Nighthawk rally continued in the fifth. Then Jordan Deep cleared the loaded bases with a double to left, increasing ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's lead 5-1.

The Nighthawks loaded the bases one more time in the sixth, making way for Kaylyn Anthony to clear them with a double down the line in left for a final 8-1 score.

Kylee Smith pitched her 15th complete game of the year, surrendering four hits and two walks while striking out five batters.

In the second game, ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ struck first in the fourth inning. The Nighthawks loaded the bases and a Bobcat error allowed ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ to score two runs for a 2-0 lead.

¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ doubled its lead in the next frame on RBI singles from Hammontree and Hobby Gregory to take the 4-0 lead.

Smith came in to relieve Amber Johns and finished the game to win the regular season championship. Smith is 27-1 on the year with three saves. Johns improved her record to 17-0 after her 4.1 innings of shutout softball in game two.

¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ will close out its regular season with a doubleheader at 5 p.m. Friday, April 27, in Dahlonega against Flagler College.