Friday, May 5, 2006

SAINTS RALLY LATE BUT FALL TO BEARCATS 22-11

Greenwood, SC – North Georgia College and State University allowed nine runs in the second inning and fell 22-11 at Lander University Friday night despite a five hit performance by senior Bryan Lauderdale that included two home runs, 6 RBIs, and a grand slam in the seventh inning.

North Georgia (32-27, 9-16 PBC) took a quick lead over Lander (29-22, 11-14 PBC) in the first inning when Lauderdale homered to give the Saints a 1-0 lead. One inning later Lauderdale picked up his second RBI of the game with a single up the middle to score Josh Tate for a 2-0 advantage. The bottom half of the inning saw the Bearcats tie the game 2-2 on a double to left center off the bat of Radley Raven to score both James Compo and Adam Hutchins. Lander continued to brings runs across with RBIs from Malcolm McCleod and Kevin Davis, and Compo capped the nine run inning with a three run shot over the left field wall to bring both Jesse Barbaro and Davis in to score. After the big inning the Bearcats had a commanding 9-2 lead.

Lander continued to add runs in the third inning with a double to right center off the bat of Davis to score two runs, and Barbaro followed with a two-run homer to right field to give the Bearcats a 13-2 lead after three innings.

In the seventh inning a double by Creston Warner and two walks loaded the bases for Lauderdale who belted a grand slam over the wall in left to give him his second homer of the day, his sixth RBI, and help cut Lander’s lead to 15-7.  In the ninth inning, North Georgia put together one last rally with RBI singles from Anders Oster and Ryan Gurley that plated four runs, but Lander held off the Saints for a 22-11 win in game one of a three game season ending set.

North Georgia's Michael Whiting (6-4) took the loss, allowing nine runs (four earned) on five hits in 1.2 innings pitched. Lander's Derek Wilson (4-4) earned the victory, striking out five, walking four and allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits in seven complete innings.

North Georgia will return to action Saturday, May 6, as they take on Lander for a season ending double-header at 3 p.m.

Box Score

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