SALISBURY, N.C. – For the second day in a row, the No. 15 University of North Georgia baseball team suffered a non-conference loss on the road. On Wednesday it was a 14-4 defeat the Nighthawks suffered at the hand of Catawba.
Despite what the final score may indicate, UNG held an early lead in the midweek contest. After Catawba grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, the Nighthawks answered with all four runs on the day in the top of the second.
After allowing a two-run home run in the bottom of the opening frame, redshirt junior pitcher Reid Howard got some run support from the offense in the next half inning.
Junior catcher Bryson Stripling reached on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded, bringing home freshman designated hitter Kyle Robitzsch to make it 2-1. Three batters later, with the bases still juiced, junior infielder Riley Frost connected on his eleventh double of the season.
Frost's knock cleared the bases and gave the Nighthawks an early 4-3 lead. With the extra base hit, Frost has now recorded a double in four of the last five games while maintaining a six-game hitting streak. He's also on a five-game multi hit streak, going 11-for-18 (.611) hitting four doubles with eight RBIs and seven walks in that same span. In the last five games, Frost holds a startling .731 on base percentage.
Despite his efforts Wednesday, Frost's contributions would not be enough. However, the lead he gave UNG held until the fifth inning when Catawba tied it on an RBI double from graduate catcher Bo Rusher III.
With a home run in the first inning, Rusher III was already off to a fantastic day. As the game got out of hand in the sixth inning, Rusher III recorded his third hit of the contest. He ended the day going 3-for-3 with a home run, a double, two walks and five RBIs.
It was a disastrous sixth inning that was the ultimate nail in the coffin in the loss for UNG. In the frame, three different pitchers faced 12 batters, allowing eight runs on six hits. By the time it was all over, the Indians led 12-4 and were firmly in control.
Redshirt junior lefty Zach Green was ultimately given the loss, his first of the season, after allowing two runs in the sixth.
Catawba added a pair of runs in the seventh to solidify the win.
For the second day in a row, the Nighthawk pitching staff conceded at least 14 runs on 18 or more hits.
They'll look to regain their footing when conference play returns this weekend as UNG continues on the road against Lander. First pitch of the three game series against the Bearcats is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 22. The series concludes at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 24.
