The University of North Georgia (UNG) softball team clinched its 11th straight Peach Belt Conference (PBC) regular-season championship with more than a week left in the regular season. First-year head coach Brooke O'Hair's team will now set its sights on the PBC tournament title, as UNG hosts the eight-team, single-elimination event May 2-4.

As the No. 1 seed, the Nighthawks (40-11, 19-5) start PBC tournament play at 4 p.m. May 2 against No. 8 seed USC Beaufort. It will provide an opportunity for UNG to turn the tables after dropping two of three against the Sand Sharks on the road in the final weekend of the regular season.

"We are excited to host the PBC tournament in front of our home crowd with all the people who support us day in and day out," O'Hair said. "There's no better feeling."

If they win their PBC tournament opener, the Nighthawks will take on the winner between No. 4 seed USC Aiken and No. 5 seed Lander University in a May 3 semifinal. The other teams in the tournament are No. 2 seed Georgia College & State University, No. 3 seed Flagler College, No. 6 seed Columbus State University, and No. 7 seed Georgia Southwestern State University.

UNG will be aiming for its 10th PBC tournament title in 11 years. The Nighthawks clinched the regular-season title with a pair of wins April 18 against Augusta University.

O'Hair's team has spent most of the season ranked in the top 10 and was No. 8 nationally in the most recent top 25. Her group was 21-3 at home, 12-6 in road games and 7-2 at neutral sites during the regular season.

"These young ladies are a special group. There aren't many teams within any sport in the country that have replaced as many starters from the previous season and accomplished the things that these young ladies have this season, and they aren't done yet," O'Hair said. "They are relentless, love to learn, work hard, love to compete, and they truly love each other and this game. I'm very blessed to be their coach."

Prior to joining UNG, O'Hair spent 18 seasons as head coach at Mississippi College, tallying 530 victories and nine NCAA postseason appearances, including two Super Regional berths.