Monday, April 10, 2006

SAINTS SPLIT TWIN BILL WITH BRAVES

Dahlonega, Ga. – North Georgia College & State University baseball split their twin bill with Peach Belt Conference opponent University of North Carolina Pembroke, 6-2 and 6-12, on Saturday afternoon at the North Georgia Baseball Complex.

In game one, the Saints (24-20, 4-10 PBC) were the first to jump on the board. A lead off walk to Brian Lauderdale, who then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error, scored off of a sacrifice fly from Jake Barrow. The Braves (26-15, 10-7 PBC) answered in the top of the second with a single run scored by Chris Beck off an RBI double from Alex Keith to tie the game 1-1. Braves’ Barrett Otto doubled down the right field line in the third and scored off of a throwing error to put the Braves up 2-1. The Saints rallied in the bottom of the inning when Lauderdale scored his second run of the game off an RBI double from Justin Rickett.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Saints’ bats came alive as Rickett was walked and Ryan Gurley reached first base on an error to start things off.  Anders Oster’s sacrifice bunt allowed the runners to advance and a sacrifice fly from Dusty Tate allowed a run to score.  Kyle Potts knocked a single down the right field line and advanced all the way to third on a throwing error bringing in Gurley.  Creston Warner capped off the inning with a solo home run to left to give the Saints a 6-2 victory.

Saints starting pitcher Michael Whiting earned his fifth win of the season and allowed only two runs off five hits in eight innings pitched.  Braves’ Adam Hamrick took the loss after going the distance and striking out two batters.

In game two, the Saints were able to again jump to an early 2-0 lead.  Lauderdale singled up the middle and Barrow reached first base on an error.  Rickett and Warner each singled to bring runs across the plate.  In the third inning, Kevin Dietrich singled up the middle and advanced to third from Cole Franks' double.  Jason Morales grounded out to short, but allowed the Braves to plate a run and bring the score to 2-1 North Georgia.  The Saints answered back in the bottom of the frame with another run by Lauderdale.

The fourth inning was marked by the Braves, which scored three runs to take the lead for the first time in the second match-up.  Jeff Adams, Tripp Lockhart, and Aaron Perkins each scored for the Braves to put them up 4-3 over the Saints.  Again in the fifth, Lockhart hit into a double play, but Otto was able to plate another run off the hit.

The bottom of the fifth frame closely mimicked the first at-bats for the Saints.  Lauderdale singled followed by an error to allow Barrow to reach first base, but Barrow was later caught stealing at third.  Rickett knocked another RBI single and was later brought in off of a standup double by Gurley.  Erik Good joined the action with a single to left field that brought in Gurley.

The Braves were able to mount a dominating comeback in the top of the seventh inning.  UNCP scored seven runs off of four hits and four errors to secure a 12-6 victory.  The frame included two doubles by Lockhart and Beck and a two RBI left field home run by Dietrich.

Braves’ pitcher Jacob Allen earned the win after 2.2 innings pitched allowing only one run to score off of four hits.  Saints’ Potts took his second loss of the season after also pitching 2.2 innings and tallying two strikeouts.

The Saints and Braves will return to action on Sunday for the conclusion of the weekend series.

Box Score, Game 1

Box Score, Game 2

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