ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The University of North Georgia baseball team scored a whopping 32 runs over two games in a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader sweep of Claflin Friday.
In game one, eight different Nighthawks recorded a multi-hit game as UNG dominated with a 19-2, seven-inning win. Three different Nighthawk batters had three hits in the contest that saw UNG score at least one run in every single inning.
Sophomore second baseman Brady Skipper came through for offense a number of times for the Nighthawks. Going 3-for-6 with a double, triple and four RBIs, Skipper recorded the first four-RBI day of his career and his fifth multi-RBI game this season. Joining Skipper and batting directly behind him in the nine hole was junior catcher Bryson Stripling who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and three walks.
Junior right-handed pitcher Dylan Noce threw a complete game in the win. Noce finished with seven complete innings, allowing just two earned runs on six hits. The Dacula, Ga. native was exceptional against the Cougar hitters, striking out a career-high nine batters without conceding a walk. It's the first game of Noce's career with five or more strikeouts and zero walks allowed.
In game two, a 13-1 victory for UNG, sophomore center fielder Andrews Opata symbolized the big bat for the Nighthawks.
Opata's day was bookended by a pair of extra base hits as he led things off in the top of the first with a solo home run, his third of the season. In the sixth inning with the bases loaded, he roped a bases-clearing triple to right field, giving UNG an 11-1 lead.
Following the lead of his teammate in game one, senior right-hander Wes Lott tossed a complete game gem in game two. Allowing just one run on four hits, Lott struck out four batters with no walks en route to his fifth in of the year (5-0).
Remarkably, Friday's game marks the seventh game of Lott's career with zero walks allowed. He has thrown six or more innings in all seven such games.
Now the Nighthawks get a day off before completing the three game series with Claflin on Sunday, Mar. 10 with a 3:00 p.m. game.
