DAHLONEGA, Ga. - After dropping the series-opening doubleheader on Saturday, the USCB softball team tried to salvage a game three victory but fell just short, 5-2, on Sunday afternoon at The Hill. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Mackenzie Freeman - 2-for-3, solo homer, two RBIs

Jazmin Ramirez and Alyssa Smith - 1-for-3, one single each

Reghan Steifle - 3.2 innings, two runs, one walk, one strikeout

Cierra Kinlaw - one inning, no runs, no walks, no hits, two strikeouts

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Nighthawks opened the series finale on the front foot by plating solo runs in the first and second innings to take the early 2-0 lead. 

After both teams combined for three runners left on base in the third, USCB broke onto the scoreboard in the fourth, which came off Freeman's bat with two outs.

Down by just one run, North Georgia added insurance runs with two outs in the bottom of the fifth to take the four-run lead, 5-1.

Following a scoreless sixth, USCB tried to mount a comeback in the seventh. Freeman stayed hot with a leadoff homer to left, but the next three Sand Sharks went down in order in the three-run loss, 5-2. 

RECORDS UPDATE

USCB - 5-7 overall, 0-3 Peach Belt

No. 3 North Georgia - 14-1 overall, 3-0 Peach Belt

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Sand Sharks will step out of Peach Belt play by hosting former Sun Conference rival Coastal Georgia on Wednesday, March 1. The doubleheader is set for 2 p.m. at Richard Gray Stadium.