DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Despite a strong showing, including home runs from Connor Hoover and Michael Bell, the fifth-ranked University of North Georgia baseball team was unable to come back from a three-run ninth inning surge from the visiting Falcons of Montevallo, falling 4-3. With the loss, the Nighthawks are now 24-7 overall and 10-7 in the Peach Belt Conference.

The Nighthawks were first on the board for the day after a failed pick-off attempt and a bad throw over from Jamison Rooney, the Montevallo starting pitcher, allowed Trevor Sams to advance to third base. Sams was able to score on the next play after a single down the right field line from Bill Leroy.

North Georgia struck again in the bottom of the sixth with a solo-homerun hit deep by Michael Bell over the wall in left center. The Nighthawks followed in the next inning with another solo shot from Connor Hoover over the left field fence.

Montevallo answered in the top of the eighth as a single grounded to left was mishandled, allowing Danny Pardo to advance home to make the score 3-1.

The Falcons rallied back in the ninth inning, scoring three runs off of one hit and one error and three pitchers faced in the inning.

Despite ninth inning singles from both Andres Perez and Devin Gearhart, the Nighthawks were unable to come back from the Montevallo surge, falling 4-3.

Zach Verner (0-1) was tagged with the loss for the Nighthawks walking one and giving up the goahead in the ninth inning.

NOTES
- Earning his 10th homerun of the season off of a solo shot in the seventh inning, Connor Hoover is now tied for fourth place in the Peach Belt Conference for homeruns.

- Devin Gearhart went 3-for-5 from the plate for the Nighthawks, including a double and two singles.

- North Georgia is now 15-13 all-time against Montevallo

NEXT UP
The Nighthawks look to close out the series with a win tomorrow against Montevallo.  First Pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Bob Stein Stadium.