Saturday, April 29, 2006

SAINTS RUN PAST AUGUSTA STATE 10-3 IN OPENER

Dahlonega, Ga. – North Georgia College and State University used a four run second inning to take a 10-3 victory over Augusta State University and win their 30th game of the season under the lights on Saturday night.

North Georgia (30-26, 7-15) jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead over Augusta State (15-34, 2-22) in the first inning with a leadoff home run over the left field fence off the bat of senior Brian Lauderdale. For Lauderdale it was his third homer of the season and 31st RBI. In the second frame, Lauderdale did damage again as he tripled with two outs to plate both Anders Oster and Josh Tate. Justin Rickett came to the plate two batters later and doubled to right center to score Lauderdale and Jake Barrow to cap a four run second and give the Saints a 5-0 lead after two innings.

Augusta State got on the board in the third inning with a two out RBI single by Robbie Fite that scored Trey Williams and cut the Saints’ lead to 5-1. In the bottom half of the inning, Creston Warner led off with his sixth home run of the year. The blasts gave Warner his 26th RBI and helped North Georgia establish a 6-1 lead.

North Georgia added to its lead in the fifth inning with a triple from Tate to score Oster and create a 7-1 Saints advantage. In the sixth inning the Saints added an insurance run on a single off the bat of Warner that scored Barrow to extend the lead to 8-1. In the eighth inning, Augusta State got on the board as Chris Demons raced to the plate on a single by Micah Hollis to cut the North Georgia lead to six at 8-2. Augusta State added another run in the top of the eighth and North Georgia scored two in the bottom half to take game one of the three game series 10-3.

Michael Whiting picked up the win for Saints as he tossed seven innings and allowed five hits and three runs. Whiting improves to 6-3 in 12 appearances this season. The loss is tagged to Ben Dukes who pitched only two innings and allowed five hits and six runs. His record falls to 4-3 on the late season.

The Saints will return to action on Sunday, April 30, as they close out the home schedule with a double-header against Augusta State University starting at 1:00 p.m.

Box Score

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