Saints and Patriots Split Pair of Pitching Duels
FLORENCE, SC
– In North Georgia’s second straight weekend against a
top-10 team, the 15th-ranked Saints split a Saturday doubleheader
at 9th-ranked Francis Marion, taking game one 4-1, before the
Patriots notched a 1-0 shutout in Peach Belt Conference action.
North Georgia moves to 26-12 overall on the year and 13-7 in Peach
Belt Conference action, while the Patriots win their 30th game of
the season in the nightcap, moving their record to 30-9 overall and
11-6 in league play.
In a pair of rare pitching duels, the Saints came out on top in
the opener behind a stellar complete-game performance from Chris
Rearick. The senior went the distance, allowing just four hits and
one run over 9.0 innings, while striking out eight and walking
two.
The Saints scored all their runs in consecutive innings with a two
spot in the fourth, before single runs in the fifth and sixth
innings was all North Georgia needed in a three-run victory.
Anders Oster drove in the first run of the game in the fourth
inning, plating Andre Airich who stole second earlier in the frame
to set up the RBI single. Kenny Bellavance scored what turned out
to be the winning run later in the inning as a throwing error
allowed Daniel Petitti to reach safely and Bellavance to trot home
for a 2-0 lead.
The Saints would follow with single runs in each of the next two
innings as a sacrifice fly from Jordan Erisman, and a
fielder’s choice manufactured two more runs.
Francis Marion scored their lone run of the game in the fifth
inning as the Patriots put a pair of runner on base before Josh
Biggers grounded out to put the Patriots into the scoring
column.
Game two was much of the same as both pitchers settled in and
combined to throw over 15 innings as Francis Marion would score the
game’s only run in the third inning to earn the doubleheader
split. Tyler Boyd was responsible for the run, an RBI single to
center field to plate Jacob Wallace as the Patriots held on the
victory.
North Georgia did have six hits in the defeat, and stranded seven
runners, including a pair in the first inning and two more in the
eighth inning with prime chances to take the lead or tie the
game.
Blake Hobby (5-3) was the tough-luck loser, recording a
complete-game with 8.0 innings of three-hit ball, allowing one
earned run while walking one and striking out two.
Don Sandifer (5-0) remained unbeaten in his collegiate career as
he allowed five hits in 7.1 innings, while striking out three and
not walking a batter.
North Georgia and Francis Marion will battle in the rubber game of
the weekend series on Sunday afternoon with first pitch set for
1:00 p.m.