DAHLONEGA, Ga.  |  Nikkie Kovalsky threw the second no-hitter of the season for the Young Harris College softball team as they defeated No. 5 University of North Georgia 1-0 in nine innings in the second round of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Friday (May 10) afternoon at Haines and Carolyn Hill Stadium.

The Mountain Lions improved to 39-17, while the Nighthawks fell to 43-12. Young Harris advances to the Southeast Region championship game Saturday (May 11) at noon against North Georgia.

The no-hitter was the second thrown by the Mountain Lions this season and the fifth since the team began playing four-year competition in 2011. 

Kovalsky (25-10) hit Kaylyn Anthony with the first pitch of the game then retired the next 27 batters in order. Lexi Duncan had the lengthiest battle of the day for North Georgia as she took Kovalsky through 16 pitches before flying out to right field. 

The first three Mountain Lions reached base safely in the bottom of the ninth inning to bring Grace Botti to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs. Botti ended the game with a single up the middle to score Morgan Curley. 

Kovalsky had one hit-by-pitch and nine strikeouts in nine innings pitched.

Botti collected two of the three hits for Young Harris and drove in the game's only run. Emily Harris tallied a hit, while Curley scored a run. 

Kylee Smith (28-3) suffered the loss for the Nighthawks as she gave up one run on three hits with three walks and 11 strikeouts in nine innings pitched.