The University of North Georgia softball program lost its opener to North Greenville, 2-1, to open play in the Division II Southeast Regional on Friday in Dahlonega.
With the loss, the No. 3 Nighthawks (44-11) will face Lenoir-Rhyne in the loser’s bracket at noon Friday.
In the pitching circle, Kylee Smith allowed only four hits and racked up nine strikeouts for North Georgia. Stephanie Hartness was 3 for 3 with a triple and double.
Kaylyn Anthony’s sixth-inning single plate Hartness for the Nighthawks.
The loss marked the first for North Georgia in home regional play, snapping a 21-game winning streak.