YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Young Harris gave No. 5 North Georgia everything it could handle Saturday in the Battle of Blood Mountain, forcing extra innings in game one and tying game two late before falling 8-2 in eight innings and 5-2.
The Mountain Lions showed resilience throughout the day against the nationally ranked Nighthawks, battling back in both contests and putting themselves in position deep into each game.
Game One: No. 5 North Georgia 8, Young Harris 2 (8 Innings)
Young Harris evened the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh when Shayla Pennington delivered an RBI single to score Mackenzie Thompson and send the game to extra innings.
North Georgia responded with six runs in the eighth to secure the win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
• Shayla Pennington went 1-for-1 with a walk and the game-tying RBI single in the seventh.
• Bailee Brown recorded an RBI in the third inning.
• Maddy Brady scored a run and reached base twice.
• Julia Moore threw 7.0 innings, allowing seven runs (five earned) on 11 hits with two strikeouts.
Game Two: No. 5 North Georgia 5, Young Harris 2
After the Nighthawks grabbed a 2-0 lead in the fifth, Young Harris answered immediately. Pennington delivered again with a two-run single, scoring Gracie Hughes and Caroline Bridges to tie the game at 2-2.
North Georgia broke through in the seventh with three runs to pull away.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
• Shayla Pennington finished 1-for-4 with two runs batted in, accounting for both Young Harris runs.
• Maddy Brady went 2-for-3 at the plate.
• Gracie Hughes scored a run and added a hit.
• Lilly Jones allowed two runs over 5.0 innings in the start.
• Isabella Pecorilli entered in relief allowing three runs (one earned) in 2.0 innings.
Young Harris forced extras in game one and had game two tied entering the final inning against the No. 5 team, showing grit throughout the rivalry matchup.
UP NEXT:
The Mountain Lions begin Conference Carolinas action next week as they look to respond versus NGU on Tuesday (Mar. 3) in Tigerville, South Carolina.
