AIKEN, S.C. — The North Georgia baseball team could not hold on to a late three-run lead, allowing four runs to score with two outs in the bottom of the ninth as USC Aiken stole the game away, 8-7. The Pacers (21-5, 13-4 PBC) secured the series victory with their second straight walk-off win, while North Georgia slips to 13-11 and 6-8 in conference play.
The Nighthawks got off to a great start with four hits in the first inning including a Connor Hoover double followed by a Sam Tidaback two-run blast to put UNG up, 2-0. USCA answered with a run in the bottom frame of the inning.
Devin Gearhart sparked another North Georgia rally in the fifth with a leadoff double to left center. Hoover followed with an RBI single to right and Tidaback proceeded to deposit a single to left to set the stage for a Trevor Sams three-run homer to give the Nighthawks a 6-1 lead.
The Pacers answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth and both teams traded runs in the sixth to make it 7-4. That would remain the score for the two and a half innings, until Aiken finally got the best of the UNG bullpen to steal the game away scoring four runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.
NOTES
- Steven Bower went 5.0 innings out of the gate for North Georgia allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk with four strikeouts. Taylor Keinat (1-1) was tagged with the loss in relief, failing to pick up an out against the three batters that he faced.
- Connor Hoover and Sam Tidaback both led the way at the plate for North Georgia with a 3-for-5 effort and two runs scored.
- After starting out the season 10-2, the Nighthawks have dropped nine of their last 13 games and have now dropped three of their last four PBC series.
NEXT UP
UNG will look to salvage at least a game out of the series with a win in tomorrow's finale. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
