Monday, May 2, 2005

BLUE HOSE FALL 8-4 TO SAINTS

Clinton, S.C. – North Georgia College & State University scored two runs in the top of the eighth inning and added a single run in the ninth break open a close game and walk away with a 8-4 victory over Presbyterian College Sunday afternoon at the PC Baseball Complex.

The Blue Hose recognized four seniors before the game that played their last game at the PC Baseball Complex. Those recognized were, Lance Howard (Simpsonville, SC), Jake Lunnen (Sylva, NC), Zach Matthews (Batesburg, SC), and Donald Sheppard (Sylvania, GA).

North Georgia (54-13) got the scoring going in the second when Richie Daigle (Alpharetta, GA) reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a Ryan Seay (Dawsonville, GA) single to left.

The Saints added two more in the third inning on a two-run homer by Creston Warner (Jacksonville, FL).

PC (17-39) finally got on the board in the fourth when Matt Bodie (Aiken, SC) doubled and scored on a groundout.

North Georgia pushed the lead out to 5-1 in the fifth when Justin Rickett (Cumming, GA) walked and Warner was hit by a pitch to start the inning and came around to score on a double by Ryan Gurley (Jefferson, GA).

The Blue Hose began chipping away at the lead in the sixth when Bodie reached on an error to lead of the inning and moved to second on a Lunnen single. Nick Hoffner (Ellicot City, MD) then doubled to left center to score Bodie. Lunnen later scored on a sacrifice fly.

PC pulled within one in the seventh on a homerun by Howard, but it was as close as they could get as the Saints scored three runs over the final two innings to set the final margin.

Kevin Bulger (Snellville, GA) and Gurley both led the Saints with three hits, while Brian Lauderdale (Roswell, GA) and Seay both finished with two. Bodie, Lunnen and Hoffner all had two hits to lead the Blue Hose.

Stephen Flake (Marietta, GA) picked up the win on the mound, allowing four runs on nine hits in six and two thirds innings. Ryan Garmon (Dahlonega, GA) came on in the seventh and pitched two and a thirds innings of hitless ball for the save. Matthews took the loss for PC.

These two teams will meet again on Monday when the Blue Hose travel to Dahlonega for a 7:00 p.m. game. North Georgia will recognize senior players in a ceremony beginning at approximately 6:45 p.m. at the NGCSU baseball complex.

Box Score