Saturday, February 3, 2007

SAINTS FALL IN ONE-RUN GAME AT BARTON
North Georgia scores five in top of eighth, but fall 9-8

Wilson, NC – Jonathan Nichols' two-run homerun in the bottom of the eighth inning was enough for Barton to escape with a 9-8 victory over North Georgia College & State University at Nixon Field Saturday afternoon.

After trailing 7-3 following seven innings of play, the Saints went on the attack in the top of the eighth inning. Neil Krock started the inning by drawing a walk off Barton pitcher Quinn Fuller. He advanced to second following an Andre Airich single. The bases were soon loaded when Anders Oster reached base on an error by Barton shortstop Zach Boyette.

With the bases loaded, freshman Craig Brisson hit into a fielder's choice enabling Krock to score from third. With runners at the corners, senior Justin Rickett hit his second homerun in as many days - this time a three-run shot right center to tie the at 7-7. Following a pitching change, senior Creston Warner went deep to left to give North Georgia an 8-7 lead.

Unfortunately, Barton was able to add two in the bottom of the eighth inning on a two-out, two-run homerun by Nichols.

The Saints scored in the fourth and the eighth innings of their second game of the season, scoring three in the fourth. Freshman Brad Hall started the fourth off with a double to right, followed by a Kevin Morrison RBI-triple to center. Krock followed the two extra-base hits with one of his own, a two-run homerun to left.

Warner and Morrison each finished the day with a pair of hits, each going 2-for-5 with a run scored and a run batted in. Five other Saints collected a hit each in the afternoon slate.

Jimmy Metzinger led Barton at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs batted in and a run scored. Nichols went 2-for-5 with three runs batted in and two runs scored. Kevin Brosseau went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two runs batted in.

Brent Godwin (1-0) picked up the victory for Barton, working just 2/3 of an inning and allowing one run off of one hit.

Meanwhile, senior Brannon Sikes (0-1) suffered the loss in relief. He worked 3 2/3 innings, allowing three runs off of four hits, striking out seven. Caleb Copeland earned the start for North Georgia, working three innings allowing five runs off of seven hits. Dustin Wellborn also saw action on the mound, working 1 1/3 innings in middle relief.

North Georgia (1-1) and Barton (1-1) play the rubber game of the series on Sunday afternoon at 1 pm.

-NGCSU-

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