DAHLONEGA — The University of North Georgia baseball team split the season-opening doubleheader Saturday afternoon against Valdosta State. The Nighthawks won the first game 4-3 before dropping the second 10-5.
North Georgia and Valdosta State are now 1-1 on the season.
Valdosta State still leads the all-time series 7-5 over the Nighthawks. The Blazers have also won five out of seven at Bob Stein Stadium.
North Georgia won its first season-opening game since 2011 on Saturday. UNG defeated Mars Hill on Opening Day five years ago 7-6.
Six home runs were hit in the doubleheader, two of which were hit by the Nighthawks. Devin Gearhart took his first pitch of the day to left-center field in the first game, and Sam Tidaback hit one down the left field line in the first inning of the nightcap.
Trevor Sams and Tidaback both went 3-for-8 on the day. Tidaback had three RBI and two runs scored, and Sams had 2 RBI and two doubles.
Chris Cobb earned the win in the first game, throwing an inning of relief. Brandon Agar threw six strong innings, giving up two runs off four hits and striking out six. Avery Greer got the save as he struck out the final two batters of the game.
Steven Bower was credited with the loss in the second half of the doubleheader after giving up three runs off four hits in two innings of work.
