TIGERVILLE, S.C. – Against the top-ranked team in NCAA Division II, the University of North Georgia baseball team fell 7-3 against North Greenville (39-6), falling behind early with a late two-run rally in the ninth coming up short in midweek non-conference action.
The Crusaders earned a 3-0 lead in the first inning, scoring on a three-run homerun by Jalen Vasquez.
Edwin Bowman IV got the Nighthawks on the board in the fourth after another run by NGU in the third to make it a 4-1 game.
The Crusaders added another three in the fourth and seventh innings to take a commanding 7-1 lead. North Georgia managed two runs in the ninth but couldn't overcome the deficit.
Andrews Opata led the way offensively in the leadoff spot, recording two hits in four at-bats, adding a walk and driving in one run. Hitters in the 6-7-8 spots of the order found the rest of North Georgia's hits, with Bowman IV,
Justin Bailey and
Connor Frost all earning one hit in the game. Bowman IV and
Connor Frost added one RBI to the run production.
Zach Green and
Jaret Bales had successful outings from the bullpen to keep UNG in contention, with Green throwing two innings of work, allowing one hit and no runs. Bales finished with the same stat line in one inning of work.
Next Up
The Nighthawks will wrap up the regular season road schedule with a three-game Peach Belt Conference series against Georgia Southwestern (23-15, 16-8 PBC) on Apr. 21, with first pitch for Friday's game set for 6:00 p.m.
