DAHLONEGA – Jake Streeter's two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning proved to be the difference maker in the No. 13 University of North Georgia (UNG) baseball team's 5-3 midweek win over Erskine on Tuesday evening.
The Nighthawks (36-11, 24-3 PBC) wrapped up their 11-game home stand on a high note, finishing the regular season with a 20-8 record at Bob Stein Stadium.
North Georgia had to work from behind early, as Erskine broke open the scoreless game in the third after Gio Lopez scored on a fielder's choice to take a 1-0 lead.
Streeter and Schley Gordy had an answer in the bottom of the fifth with back-to-back singles to open the frame. JD Coleman kept things moving with a sacrifice bunt to move his pair of teammates into scoring position.
With runners on second and third, Hunter Thompson sent them both home with a two-RBI single through the right side to put the Nighthawks in front.
The Flying Fleet had an immediate answer in the top of the six with a pair of sacrifice flies to retake the lead.
The Nighthawks' counterattack came just a few moments later in the bottom of the inning. A leadoff double from Brody Yeomans and a pair of hit by pitches drawn by Kyle Robitzsch and Streeter loaded up the bases for Gordy.
North Georgia's plate discipline was crucial, as Gordy's line drive to the shortstop sent Yeomans home to knot the game 3-3.
After a 1-2-3 inning from Evan Carter in the top of the eighth, the Nighthawks got to work in the home half of the inning. Robitzsch got things started by roping a single to left field, but a fly out from Cam Hodge gave Erskine a big second out in the inning and put Streeter in a big spot up to bat.
With two outs and a pair of strikes on the board, Streeter did not back down. The Flying Fleet watched as he blasted his 11th home run of the season over the left field wall to put North Georgia in front for good.
The Sandy Springs, Ga. native led the way for North Georgia at the plate, finishing 2-3 with a pair of RBI and runs scored. Yeomans and Robitzsch also delivered multi-hit performances in the win.
Carter came through for his third win of the season, tossing three scoreless innings out of the bullpen while only surrendering two base knocks.
Drew Potts and Pierce Radke paced Erskine's (24-23, 18-12 CC) lineup with two hits each.
The Nighthawks will wrap up their regular season on the road back in conference play against USC Aiken. The series will kick off on Friday, Apr. 24 at 6 p.m.
