DAHLONEGA, Ga. — After a rough outing in the series opener, the eighth-ranked University of North Georgia baseball team got a more than quality start out of Steven Bower and used a pair of home runs to take down Lander, 3-1, Saturday afternoon at Dolny Stadium. The Nighthawks move to 11-4 on the year with the win and are now 1-1 in Peach Belt Conference play.
 
For the second straight day, Connor Hoover provided an early lead for UNG with a solo homer in the top of the first to give the Nighthawks a 1-0 edge out right out of the gate. That score would stick for the next seven innings until North Georgia scored an unearned run in the top of the eighth that was answered with the Bearcats' only run of the game in the home half of the inning after back-to-back one out doubles.
 
Michael Bell provided a little extra insurance in the ninth with a solo shot of his own to give the game its final score, 3-1.
 
NOTES
- Steven Bower (3-1), the reigning PBC Pitcher of the Week, followed the best start of his career last week with another solid outing, allowing just three hits in 7.1 innings with two walks and five strikeouts.
 
- Jacob Jones earned his second save of the season allowing just two walks while striking out two in his 1.2 innings of relief.
 
- The win sets up an opportunity for North Georgia to take the series tomorrow. UNG has not earned a series win over Lander since 2011. The Nighthawks are 18-20 all-time against Lander with a 7-11 mark in games played in Greenwood.
 
NEXT UP
The two teams will hit the diamond again tomorrow for the rubber match. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.