Thursday, March 2, 2006

SAINTS PICK UP 10-5 ROAD WIN OVER BRAVES

Carrollton, Ga. – North Georgia College & State University pounded out 14 hits in route to a 10-5 victory over the University of West Georgia in non-conference baseball action Wednesday afternoon.

Senior second baseman Brian Lauderdale ignited the Saints (8-9) offense with one swing of the bat as he led the game off with a homer over the right centerfield fence. North Georgia was able to generate three more runs in the second and third inning after Lauderdale walked with the bases loaded in the second frame and freshman right fielder Davy Wallach singled to bring in two more runs in the third inning.

The Braves (6-4) put a dash on the board in the bottom of the third off of an RBI single from junior left fielder Rashun Harris. North Georgia came right back in the top of the fourth after junior third baseman Justin Rickett grounded into a fielder’s choice to score Lauderdale.

UWG put another run up in the fifth inning to cut the lead to 4-2, but the Saints responded once again with three runs in the top half of the sixth. Senior catcher David Chastain shot his first home run of the year to lead off the inning followed by a two RBI double by freshman Anders Oster to put North Georgia up 7-2.

An error to lead off the bottom of the sixth followed by a two run homer from junior first baseman Alex Parker looked to give the Braves some momentum, but it was quickly silenced by sophomore reliever Dustin Wellborn who retired the next three batters to end the rally.

The Saints scored two more runs in the eighth inning to extend their lead to 10-4. A solo home run in the bottom of the eighth off the bat of catcher Jason Parker cut the lead to five, but the North Georgia pitching staff squashed the rally and senior closer Kyle Potts closed out the game for his second save of the season.

Wellborn (1-3) picked up his first win of the season after pitching 3 1/3 innings. He struck out five of the 15 batters he faced and allowed only two earned runs while scattering three hits and walking none. Senior starter Tyler Meigs (2-1) took the loss after pitching four innings and allowing five earned runs off of five hits.

The Saints will take on their second consecutive Gulf South Conference opponent this weekend as they take on the University of Alabama-Huntsville in a four game series on Saturday and Sunday. The Braves will welcome Minnesota State on Friday and Saturday for a four game series as well.

Box Score

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