DAHLONEGA – The No. 11 University of North Georgia (UNG) baseball team plated seven runs across the sixth and eighth innings in a come-from-behind win over Flagler 10-7 to even up the Peach Belt Conference series on Saturday afternoon. 

For the second consecutive game of the series, the Nighthawks had to battle from behind against Flagler. This afternoon, North Georgia completed the comeback victory, erasing a four-run advantage for the Saints in the process. 

Cam Hodge got the day started with an RBI single in the bottom of the first to give North Georgia its first lead of the series. 

Flagler had an answer in the following inning with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to centerfield to move out in front 2-1. 

After a scoreless second inning from the Nighthawks, Flagler added some insurance runs onto its lead with a trio of doubles to extend the lead to three. The Saints capped off the inning with another RBI single to center field to take a four-run lead for the second time in this series. 

Kevin Cox quickly worked through three Saints to bring the Nighthawk bats back up in the fourth. A walk from Schley Gordy and single to left by JD Coleman put a pair of runners on the bases for Ben Hamacher.  

With one out on the board, Hamacher delivered a shot to the shortstop, advancing Coleman and Gordy. After the play, the Saint's pitcher did not appear to call a timeout while requesting a new ball, and Gordy wisely came home to plate a run for North Georgia, and Coleman advanced to third. 

The heads-up play from Gordy proved to be beneficial for North Georgia, as Brady Skipper sent Coleman home on an RBI groundout, and the Nighthawks left the inning trailing by just two. 

The Nighthawks carried that momentum into the bottom of the sixth inning. Three-straight base knocks led off the frame, capped off by a two RBI double from Hamacher evened the score at 5-5. A single from Brody Yeomans brought Hamacher around to score, and Hodge followed suit with an RBI single to plate Yeomans and give UNG a two-run lead. 

The Saints stole a run back with a solo homer in the top of the eighth to make it a one-run game, but North Georgia had a big answer in the bottom frame. 

The Nighthawks drew a trio of walks to load the bases for Coleman, who delivered his third hit of the afternoon to score Kyle Robitzsch and extended the lead to two once more.  

Hunter Thompson used his plate discipline to draw a bases-loaded walk to bring another run home, and Hamacher closed the inning with an RBI groundout to flip the script and give North Georgia a four-run lead over the Saints. 

Flagler cut the lead to three in the top of the ninth, but the Nighthawks converted on a double play and a fly out to Thompson at first to force a winner-take-all game tomorrow. 

Hamacher posted his best game for the Nighthawks (24-7, 15-2 PBC) this season with a career-high five hits to accompany four RBI and two runs scored. Coleman also had a solid performance at the plate going 3-5 while scoring a pair of runs. 

Cox earned his fifth win of the season in seven innings of work on the mound, recording five strikeouts while surrendering five runs off nine hits. 

Flagler (18-10, 7-7 PBC) was led by George Gilson and Tripp Davis, who each went 3-4 with an RBI. 

Game three will decide the winner of this PBC series. First pitch is set for noon at Bob Stein Stadium.