Saints Come From Behind, Defeat UAH 9-5
DAHLONEGA, GA – North Georgia College
& State University used a three-run blast in the third inning
to take the lead for good as they held on to defeat the University
of Alabama-Huntsville 9-5 Tuesday evening at Bob Stein Stadium.
The Saints win their third straight and improve to 18-14, while
Alabama-Huntsville falls to 18-8 with the defeat. The series finale
set for tomorrow afternoon has been cancelled due to the threat of
rain and no make-up date has been scheduled.
Both teams had chances in the first inning as UAH loaded the bases
on a walk, hit batter, and a bunt single, but Blake Hobby shut the
door, striking out the ensuing batter before inducing a double play
to turn the Chargers away empty handed. The Saints also had a pair
of runners in scoring position in the bottom half of the inning
with only one out, but Ryan Griffin forced two straight groundouts
to send a scoreless game to the second frame.
The chargers scored the first run of the game in the third inning
as Jordan Parker doubled down the right field line, moved to third
on a groundout, and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Ryan McCrory
to give UAH the first lead of the game at 1-0.
North Georgia answered right back in the bottom half of the third
with three runs to take a 3-1 advantage. With two outs and a runner
on, Jordan Erisman coaxed a walk to bring Andre Airich to the plate
who delivered his fourth home run of the year, launching the
opposite field long ball to give the Saints a two-run lead.
Luke Putnam Pulled Alabama-Huntsville to within a run with a
single up the middle in the fourth, plating Shannon Anderson to
make it 3-2. North Georgia answered the UAH run again, this time
pushing a run across on a bases loaded walk to bring Zach Bennett
home and make it 4-2.
Brad Hall continued his clutch hitting in the fifth frame,
blasting his team-leading seventh home run of the season, a rocket
to left center that landed halfway up crown mountain to give the
Saints a 5-2 fifth inning lead.
The Chargers added a single run in the sixth inning on a bouncing
single over the third baseman’s head by Zack Townley to bring
Anderson racing home from second and pull UAH to within a pair at
5-3.
JD Burgess and Erisman each drove in runs in the eighth, before
Airich singled home the Saints’ final two runs of the game to
give the North Georgia a 9-3 lead.
George Washington singled home a run in the final inning, and
McCrory grounded out to bring home the final run of the game as the
Saints took the 9-5 victory.
Jacob Rickett (3-1) picked up the win in relief, tossing 2.2
innings and allowing three hits and one earned run while striking
out two and walking two. Mark Thomas came on to record the final
out and pick up his first save of the season.
Griffin (3-2) suffered the loss, lasting 3.2 innings and allowing
four earned runs on five hits while striking out two.
The Saints return to action over the weekend, hosting 29th-ranked
Francis Marion University in Peach Belt Conference action with a
doubleheader scheduled for Saturday and a single game slated for
Sunday afternoon.
Note: With the victory, the Saints improve to a
perfect 7-0 all-time against the University of Alabama-Huntsville.
