DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The No. 21 Columbus State University softball team dropped the first game on Friday to the University of North Georgia, but bounced back later in the afternoon, beating King University (Tenn.) 3-2 to advance to Game 6 of the 2023 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional. 

The Nighthawks defeated the Cougars 8-0 in five innings early on Friday. Brooke Miller tallied the lone hit of the game, a double to center field in the second inning. Hannah Rose Corbin drops to 23-9 on the season inside the circle.

In game two, King took a 2-0 lead over the Cougars in the bottom of the second inning. The Cougars added one run in the top of the third with a drop-third RBI wild-pitch strikeout, plating Miller from third. Madeline Parker put CSU ahead 3-1 in the fifth thanks to a single to right field, scoring Katelyn Cooper, and Caitlyn Canady was able to cross the plate because of an error by King's right fielder.

Jessica Lopez recorded the win on the mound after coming into the game in relief. She struck out four batters in 5.0 innings pitched and allowed no runs scored. Canady led the Cougars with two hits.

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CSU and UNG will face off at noon on Saturday. The Cougars will have to win two games to advance to the Super Regional.