DAHLONEGA – The No. 29 University of North Georgia (UNG) baseball team rallied from an early deficit Friday afternoon, using a seven-run sixth inning to defeat No. 21 Mississippi College 10-6 at Bob Stein Stadium.
Mississippi College struck first with a two-run home run in the top of the first inning before adding another run in the second to take a 3-0 lead.
The Nighthawks responded in the bottom of the second when
Kyle Robitzsch blasted a solo homerun to cut the deficit to two runs.
UNG cut the lead to 3-2 in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by
Cam Hodge before Robitzsch came through again in the sixth, singling a run home to tie the game at three. The Nighthawk offense then erupted for six more runs in the inning to seize control. UNG capitalized on big hits from
Schley Gordy,
JD Coleman and
Ben Hamacher and also capitalized on a timely error by the Choctaws to take a 9-3 lead.
Robitzsch brought in the Nighthawks' tenth and final run on an RBI double that brought in
Brady Skipper.
The Choctaws attempted a rally in the eighth, scoring three runs, but could not complete the comeback.
Matthew Heard earned his second win of the season, allowing six runs on six hits over seven innings.
Avery Brown worked the final two innings, surrendering three runs on three hits.
Robitzsch and Skipper paced the offense with three hits apiece. Robitzsch drove in three runs, while Skipper caused problems on the basepaths with four stolen bases.
The Nighthawks and Choctaws continue the series Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. at Bob Stein Stadium.
