TIGERVILLE, S.C. – The No. 16 University of North Georgia (UNG) baseball team fell just short of a comeback win on the road against No. 11 North Greenville (NGU) in a 14-10 loss in Tigerville, S.C. on Tuesday.
The Trailblazer (33-8, 17-7 Conference Carolinas) jumped ahead early by scoring runs in each of the first six innings to build a lead on the Nighthawks (27-11, 15-3 Peach Belt).
NGU built up a 12-0 lead by the sixth inning and appeared to be in firm control of the contest.
That was until UNG finally got on the board in the top of the sixth when sophomore outfielder
Kyle Robitzsch doubled to left center field to plate a pair of runs.
Trailing 13-2, senior catcher
Bryson Stripling belted a solo home run to left center in the seventh to provide a spark for the Nighthawks.
After conceding another run in the bottom of the seventh, Robitzsch came through again for UNG, this time with an RBI single to left to make it 13-4.
Trailing by nine runs, the Nighthawks entered the ninth inning with a lot of ground to make up.
They quickly made headway against the deficit as two walks and a single loaded the bases with two outs for redshirt junior
Phillip Ard.
The fifth-best home run hitter in the nation did not disappoint as he drilled the ball over the wall in left center field for a grand slam. Ard now has 17 homers on the season which leads the Peach Belt Conference and ranks fifth in the nation.
His blast on Tuesday made it 14-8 and gave the Nighthawks new life late in the contest.
UNG built on Ard's bomb as redshirt freshman
Nicholas Stinson scooted a double through the infield before Robitzsch walked.
A single from senior outfielder
Jorge Arispuro loaded the bases again. That led to a wild pitch which plated Stinson and moved Robitzsch and Arispuro into scoring position.
Another wild pitch allowed freshman infielder
Jake Prince to reach first despite a swing and miss as Robitzsch raced home to make it 14-10.
Robitzsch had one of the best performances in the game for the Nighthawks as he went 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBIs.
The Trailblazers eventually escaped with the win on a strikeout to end the game.
Now UNG will return home for a three-game series against Flagler. First pitch on Friday, April 11 is set for 5 p.m. from Bob Stein Stadium at Lynn Cottrell Park.
