AIKEN, S.C. - The USCA baseball team dropped a tightly contested 8-5 game to No. 17 North Georgia Sunday afternoon in the regular-season finale.
The Pacers are now 35-15 on the season, including 20-10 in PBC play.
Head coach
Keith Gorman's squad took a lead in the third inning. After
Donovan Glisson smacked a double down the right field line,
Johann Rodriguez belted a single to left field for the early lead. Rodriguez swiped second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by
Osmin Melendez.
Evan Harding's groundout allowed Rodriguez to scamper home.
The Nighthawks answered with six runs in the fourth and one in the fifth for a 7-2 margin.
The score remained the same until the eighth inning. Zach Chavis entered as a pinch hitter for
Osmin Melendez and promptly blasted a single through the right side of the infield.
Cannon Frost entered as a pinch runner and was able to trot home when Harding launched a two-run shot over the left field wall, making it 7-4. After a triple by
Chancellor Jennings,
Yariel Diaz lifted a deep fly ball down the right field line, allowing Jennings to race home while cutting the deficit to just two, 7-5.
UNG loaded the bases and recorded a sacrifice fly in the ninth for a three-run margin, 8-5.
Gorman's squad put forth a tremendous at bat in the ninth.
Ryan Becker recorded a pinch-hit single. Harding posted a base hit to right center field and Jennings drew a walk to load the bases with two outs. However, a fielder's choice ended the contest with the winning run at the plate.
For the game, Glisson, Harding and Rodriguez had two hits apiece. Harding tallied three RBI and had a home run. Jennings smacked a triple while Glisson accounted for a double.
On the mound,
Nick Napolitano went 3.2 innings and had three strikeouts.
Myles Chabi tossed 2.1 innings.
Kyle Stock struck out a batter in the seventh.
CJ Lincoln worked a scoreless eighth frame.
Dylan Dickert recorded an out in the ninth.
Luke Norman faced a batter while
Ron Robinson recorded the final two outs.
The Pacers return to action at the PBC Tournament. The bracket will be released Sunday evening. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
