DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Lander softball team suffered a pair of losses to No. 3-ranked North Georgia on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Nighthawks, 8-0 and 4-1. 

Lander (17-17, 2-6 PBC) fell behind 2-0 early in game one before UNG (30-8, 7-1 PBC) scored a pair of runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings to earn the victory. Sydney Grimes managed Lander's lone hit of the game, while Ashley Vinson (6-9) allowed five runs on six hits in 3.0 innings. Kylee Smith (17-1) struck out four in 5.0 innings to earn the win. 

In game two, the Nighthawks once again took an early 2-0 lead, but Lander cut the deficit in half in the top of the fourth. The Bearcats loaded the bases with one out and Alana Frye's ground out to second brought home Chandler Carey to make the score 2-1. UNG notched a pair of runs in the fifth to cap the scoring. Abby Killian (10-6) struck out six and allowed four runs on eight hits, while Abbie Crawford (7-2) limited the Bearcats to four hits with five strikeouts and two walks for the Nighthawks. 

The Bearcats travel to UNC Pembroke next Friday, Apr. 5, for a conference doubleheader at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.